Benson Idahosa University
BIU | |
| |
Type | Private |
---|---|
Established | February, 2002 |
Affiliation | Church of God Mission International (CGMi) |
Chancellor | Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa OON |
Vice-Chancellor | Prof. Ernest B. Izevbigie FNAI |
Location | Benin, Edo State, Nigeria |
Campus |
Ugbor Campus, Benin, Nigeria Legacy Campus, Okha, Benin, Nigeria |
Colors | Royal Blue, Gold and white |
Website | www.biu.edu.ng |
Benson Idahosa University also known as BIU is a private, Christian university in Benin City, Nigeria.
BIU (previously named Christian Faith University) was renamed in honor of Archbishop Benson Idahosa, a Charismatic Pentecostal minister from Benin City, Nigeria, and reflects his evangelical beliefs. He was the first president of the university. The current president of Benson Idahosa University Rt. Rev.(Dr.) Faith Emmanuel Benson Idahosa,[1] son of Benson Idahosa, is the Bishop of CGMi Faith Arena and Co-ordinator, Next Generation Leadership (NGL) of the Church of God Mission.
BIU is fully accredited by Nigeria's higher education accreditation body, the National Universities Commission (NUC). BIU is the only university in Africa with International membership with the United States National Academy of Inventors (NAI)[2]. Benson Idahosa University has maintained an enviable record in sports. BIU has maintained the best performance by any private university in Nigeria in all editions of Nigerian Private Universities Games (NPUGA), Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) and West African Universities Games (WAUG).
History
At the dedication of the multi-purpose main muditorium, the founder, Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa, said "in 1978, God told me I was going to build a university to the glory of his majesty...only God could have done that, as building a university in Nigeria then was the preserve of Federal and State Governments in Nigeria." [3]
The university commenced its academic programmes as Christian Faith University-Institute of Continuous Learning (CFU-ICL) in 1993 at the Ugbor Campus. Successful candidates were admitted into two faculties- Basic Sciences and Management Sciences. National Diploma degrees were awarded to students on completion of two (2) year programme in affiliation with University of Benin, Benin City and Edo State University, Ekpoma (now Ambrose Ali University, Edo State).
The head of management was referred to as the RECTOR. The rector was Prof. Uche Gbenedio. With support from Mr. Mike Okagbare (Registrar) and Mr. Adams (Bursar). Candidates were admitted into programmes in Computer Science, Computer Technology, Agriculture, Accounting, Economics and Political Science.
The university was later named "Benson Idahosa University" in 1998. in 1999/2000 academic session, BIU had three Faculties - Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences (FBAS), Faculty of Social and Management Sciences (FSMS) and Faculty of Arts and Education (FAE).[4]
The university received the required license to operate as a private university in Nigeria from the National Universities Commission in February, 2002.[5]
The university's fourth faculty is the Faculty of Law (FLAW), which currently has provisional accreditation from the (Nigeria) Council of Legal Education [6] In August, 2015, BIU officially opened its second campus, popularly known as Legacy Campus, Okha, with the movement of Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technologies (FAAT) in August 2015 and commencement of Faculty of Engineering (FENG) in September 2015. Prof. Ben Anyata became the First Dean, Faculty of Engineering in February, 2015.
Convocation
The university had its first convocation ceremony (postgraduate diplomas and bachelor's degrees in arts and sciences) on the 25 September 2004, with Prof. E.T Ehiametalor as pro-chancellor, Prof. Eghosa Osagie as vice chancellor and E.M. Obadan as registrar. The chancellor, Archbishop Margaret Benson E. Idahosa OON, was conferred with a Doctor of Letters degree.
Year | Convocation lecturer | Honorary Doctorate Awardee |
---|---|---|
2004 | Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa- Letters. | |
2005 | Prof. Grace Alele-Williams | |
2007 | Prof. Grace Alele-Williams | Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa- Letters. |
2008 | Donald Duke | |
2009 | Chief (Mrs.) Elizabeth Adegbite | Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui Okauru - Business Administration |
2010 | Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim | |
2011 | Comrade Adams Oshiomhole | Chief (Mrs.) Stella Okoli - Business Administration Maj. Gen. Godwin Abbe - Public Administration Com. Adams Oshiomhole - Political Science |
2012 | Engr. Goddie Isibor - Business Administration Chief Lemon Ikpea - Business Administration Deacon Daniel Eghobamien - Business Administration | |
2013 | Prof. Julius Ihonvbere | |
2014 | Hon. Kingsley Kuku | Deacon Vincent Agenmonmen - Business Administration |
2015 | Chief Olusegun Obasanjo | Pastor Chris Oyakhilome - Divinity |
2016 | Prof. Sidi Osho | |
2017 | Ogiame Ikenwoli, Olu of Warri Kingdom - Divinity | |
Benson Idahosa University Alumni (BIUA)
Benson Idahosa University Alumni comprises graduates of the then Christian Faith University which later translated into Benson Idahosa University. Alumni groups and chapters have been organized in several states with a view of carrying on the traditions of BIU and to strengthen ties and communication between alumni and the university. The association has been in existence since 2004.