Miva Open University has inaugurated its Lagos Study Center with an ambitious target of reaching 1 million students in the coming years, a bold stride toward reshaping Nigeria’s higher education landscape.

The launch marks a critical milestone in the university’s mission to expand access to quality tertiary education, as it addresses the glaring gap left by Nigeria’s limited university capacity.

The vice-chancellor, Miva Open University, Professor Tayo Arulogun, at the commissioning ceremony, underscored the significance of blending online and physical learning experiences.

“We believe that when people are learning at a distance, they should be able to come to a physical location, interact with themselves, and learn from others,” he stated.

The Lagos center, equipped with state-of-the-art computer-based testing (CBT) facilities and a soon-to-be-donated virtual lab for computer science students, is designed to provide hands-on learning support to complement Miva’s digital-first approach.

Chancellor of Miva Open University, Sim Shagaya, highlighted the pressing need for increased access to tertiary education in Nigeria. “Out of 2.2 million Nigerians who sat for the UTME exams, only 600,000 university seats are available. We’re leveraging technology and AI to serve the 1.5 million students who qualify for university admission each year but lack access,” he said.

Shagaya emphasised the importance of AI literacy and the university’s commitment to using AI responsibly. “We’ve defined the data pool for AI, ensuring it only teaches approved and accurate information. We’ve implemented guardrails to prevent AI from teaching inaccurate or unethical content,” he explained.

The Chief people officer, Miva Open University, Oladipo Olugbemi, provided insights into the university’s enrollment projections. “We had 500 students in 2023, 5,000 students by the end of 2024, and we’re projecting 10,000 students by the end of H1 2025. We’re on course to surpass this target, and by the end of 2027, we aim to have over 100,000 enrolled students,” he said.

Olugbemi also highlighted the university’s affordable tuition fees, ranging from N300,000 to N350,000 per year for undergraduate courses, and under N1 million for MBA programs. Miva Open University accepts direct entry students, and all courses are approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The university has introduced two new courses this year, Masters in Public Health and Masters of Information Technology, which have already started enrollment. These courses have been approved by NUC, further expanding Miva Open University’s academic offerings.

As the university continues to expand its reach, it plans to establish community centers in different geopolitical zones, providing students with access to resources and support. With its innovative approach to education, Miva Open University is set to play a vital role in shaping the future of learning in Nigeria.