Why we’re being mentored by UNILAG – VC

How did Christopher University start? Christopher University was founded by Chief Christopher Eze, who was also the founding father of what is today known as the Lagos Business School. The university was licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC). We were licensed under the mentorship of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).  What are some of […]

How did Christopher University start?

Christopher University was founded by Chief Christopher Eze, who was also the founding father of what is today known as the Lagos Business School. The university was licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC). We were licensed under the mentorship of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). 

What are some of the challenges faced in establishing the university?

University is a capital intensive project. It requires lot of fund to put in place structures, power, hostels, among other infrastructures. It is not established for profit but passion. It is really about wanting to give back to the society. 

What are the values behind establishing the university?

We have the mandate in Christopher University to open up a new horizon within the nation’s academic arena. We are to do something spectacular and novel which will bring about transformative changes in the professional world. We are focused on management science. That is what the university is set to achieve. We intend to create ready-made materials for optimal manpower, and to do this, we want to partner with similar organisational and professional bodies that share similar vision and mission with us. Our mission is to excel in management studies. 

Since the university is under the mentorship of UNILAG, does that mean its administrative structure is in UNILAG?

No, the idea of mentorship by UNILAG is meant to offer expertise advice, oversee appointment of the Governing Council, recruitment of academic staff, assist in our current capacity, staff development and general quality assurance, among others. The mentorship will last for five years. 

How is students’ admission handled?

We admitted students last year but the license came a little late in March 2015 so we were advised to defer our commencement to this session. We also told students to defer their admission to this

session. We are already in the JAMB brochure and it allocated some students to us. Unfortunately, we couldn’t commence academic activities at the time. 

How many accredited courses do you have?

We were licensed to take off with three faculties – Business Studies, Management and Social Sciences. Although, NUC approved Faculty of Law, we are not going to start off with it. We are going to focus on three faculties for now. We are taking off with courses such as accounting, marketing, business administration, banking and finance. We also have history and diplomatic studies, English language, literature, philosophy, economics and political science. 

How affordable is the university?

In fixing our fees, we take into consideration our environment and the hardship in the land. Our fees are students and parents friendly. And parents are allowed to pay on instalment basis. 

Will the certificate of the students who would graduate within the period of your mentorship with UNILAG bear the seal of Christopher University and UNILAG?

No. It won’t be like that. What UNILAG is doing is overseeing. There is a committee set up by the VC of the University of Lagos, headed by the DVC academics, which deals with faculties and overseeing what we are doing. I constantly interact with the deputy vice-chancellor, registrar and other principal officers of the University of Lagos. This is not the first arrangement of sort made by the NUC. I am aware that UNILAG also oversees another private university in Epe. It is an arrangement that the NUC devised to help upcoming varsities within their take-off period. It is a mandate given to first generation universities to mentor new universities.

 Does the university have hostels?

It is fully residential. The reason is to be able to monitor our students for the purpose of discipline. We are interested in ensuring discipline and responsibility. However, we allow our students to use their initiatives. We want them to have freedom and use it responsibly. There would be dress code and, before you leave the campus, there must be permission. You can’t just be walking in and out anyhow. Of course, that does not mean the students are imprisoned. We have sporting facilities for recreation. 

Was there any specific guideline from NUC on the varsity’s carrying capacity? 

Yes. We have the NUC instruction not to exceed 445 students enrolment. And we are starting off in October. 

What should the nation look out for from Christopher University?

We are there to produce leaders and academics. We are there to produce scholars and distinguished professors. We are interested in training first class man power to be leaders of our society. And this is the reason we have department of entrepreneurship and leadership training.

We have department of partnership and foreign relations so that we can partner with first class universities here and outside the country. We also want to be able to relate with professional bodies both within and outside Nigeria. Aside that, we are going to be having in place skill acquisition programmes. Our students are not just going to be out there seeking for jobs, they’ll be job creators. I mean they’ll be graduates who, when they find themselves in leadership position, will be able to prove their mettle. We are not just going to be producing graduates but graduates the nation can be proud of. We shall be inviting men who have distinguished themselves and who are achievers to help us talk to our students and share their experiences so that the students can understand life. We shall produce graduates the nation can be proud of.