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University of Nigeria

The University of Nigeria, commonly referred to as UNN, is a federal university located in Nsukka, Enugu State, Eastern part of Nigeria. Founded in 1955 by Nnamdi Azikiwe[6][7][8] who was the Governor General of Nigeria between 1960 and 1963,[9] and first President of Nigeria between 1963 and 1966.[10] The University of Nigeria Nsukka was formally opened on 7 October 1960.[11] The University of Nigeria has three campuses in Enugu State–Nsukka, Enugu, and Ituku-Ozalla – and the Aba campus in Abia State.[12]

University of Nigeria
Nsukka
Former names
  • University of Nigeria (1960–1967)
  • University of Biafra (6 July 1967 – 15 January 1970)
MottoTo Restore the Dignity of Man
TypePublic
Established1955
FounderNnamdi Azikiwe[1]
Vice-ChancellorPolycarp Emeka Chigbu (Acting)[2]
Academic staff
1,519[3]
Students36,000[4]
Location
Nsukka
,
Enugu
,
Nigeria

6°51′24″N 7°23′45″E / 6.85667°N 7.39583°E / 6.85667; 7.39583 6°52′02″N 7°24′31″E / 6.8673°N 7.4085°E / 6.8673; 7.4085
CampusRural
871 hectares (2,150 acres) (Nsukka campus)
Urban
200 hectares (490 acres) (Enugu campus)
500 hectares (1,200 acres) (Ituku-Ozalla campus)[5]
ColorsGreen and white
   
NicknameLions and Lionesses
MascotLion (Black lion with a broken chain)
Websiteunn.edu.ng

The University of Nigeria is the first full-fledged indigenous and first autonomous university in Nigeria,[13] modelled upon the American educational system. It was the first land-grant university in Africa and one of the five most reputed universities in Nigeria. The university has 15 Faculties and 102 academic departments. The university offers 108 undergraduate programs and 211 postgraduate programmes.[14]

History

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A law to establish a university in the Eastern Region of Nigeria was passed on 18 May 1955.[15] Advice was sought from educationists in the UK and the US to help in the planning of the physical and educational aspects of the proposed university.

Under the joint auspices of the Inter-University Council for Higher Education and Overseas and the International Co-operation Administration (now the United States Agency for International Development), J.W. Cook, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, Dr John A. Hannah, President of Michigan State University and Dr. Glen L. Taggart, Dean of International Programs at the same university, came to Nigeria in 1958. The team surveyed the site at Nsukka and extensively investigated a great variety of factors pertinent to the establishment of a new university.

The results of their efforts were contained in a white paper issued by the Eastern Nigeria Government on 30 November 1958. They had recommended, "that the development of the University of Nigeria based upon the concept of service to problems and needs of Nigeria, is a desirable project and one that should receive support from any source which could help to make it a sound endeavour".

They further recommended that a provisional council be established to "draw upon the technical and consultative resources available throughout the world for help in planning the institution".

The provisional council, authorized by the Eastern Nigeria Legislature, was appointed by the Governor in Council in April 1959, and given the necessary financial and administrative powers to build a sound university. It reflected the spirit of international co-operation which has given birth to the institution. It consisted of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, chairman, Dr T. Olawale Elias and Dr Okechukwu Ikejiani from the Federation of Nigeria, J. S. Fulton from the United Kingdom, Dr. Marguerite Cartwright and Dr. Eldon Lee Johnson from the United States. The university was formally opened on 7 October 1960, as the climax to the Nigerian independence celebrations in the country's Eastern Region, by Princess Alexandra of Kent. Classes began on 17 October 1960 with an enrollment of 220 students and 13 members of the academic staff. The opening convocation addresses were delivered by the Chairman of the Provisional Council, Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first President of the Federation of Nigeria, and by John A. Hannah, president of Michigan State University.[citation needed]

The university was fully autonomous, with the power to grant its own degrees. Technically speaking, therefore, it became the first fully-fledged university in Nigeria, since Ibadan was still at that time a university college granting London degrees. It also became the first university established by a Nigerian Regional Government. The University College Ibadan, the oldest degree-awarding institution, cut its umbilical cord with London in January 1963, becoming the University of Ibadan. In July 1967, it turned out the first graduates holding Ibadan (rather than London) degrees,[16] by which time Nsukka had produced two crops of graduates and taken all the publicity for turning out the first graduates of an autonomous Nigerian university.[17]

Campuses of University of Nigeria

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University of Nigeria Enugu Campus 
University of Nigeria Enugu Campus

The university has four campuses:

  • University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN,
  • University of Nigeria Enugu campus, UNEC.
  • University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH - Ituku-Ozalla
  • University of Nigeria Aba campus, UNAC Aba.

The main campus of the university is located on 871 hectares of hilly savannah in the town of Nsukka, about eighty kilometres north of Enugu, and enjoys a very pleasant and healthy climate. Additionally 209 hectares of arable land are available for an experimental agricultural farm and 207 hectares for staff housing development. There is regular road transport between Nsukka and Enugu, and Nsukka is also quite easily accessible from all parts of Nigeria. There are modern shopping facilities and a large market in Nsukka town.

The Nsukka campus houses the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Biological Sciences, Education, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine

 

The former Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Enugu, was incorporated into the university in 1961, and its buildings now form the Enugu Campus (200 hectares) of the university located in the heart of Enugu, the administrative capital of Enugu State of Nigeria. Enugu is a modern city, accessible by air, rail and road. The Faculties of Business Administration, Environmental Studies, Law and Health Sciences are located at the Enugu Campus.

 

The teaching hospital (UNTH) attached to the university is presently sited at Ituku-Ozalla (25 kilometres south of Enugu) on a 500-hectare (1,200-acre) site. It also hosts the Faculty of Dentistry/Dental Surgery and Medical Sciences.

 
Faculty of Arts Building, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

The Aba campus (UNAC) hosts the National Institute for Nigerian Languages.

A former campus was opened in October 1973 in Calabar, Cross River State. The campus at Calabar became a full-fledged University of Calabar in October 1975.[18]

The official name of the university is University of Nigeria[19] and the official acronym of the name UNN. "UN" stands for University of Nigeria while the last "N" stands for Nsukka. This acronym is also shared by the main campus of the university, Nsukka (University of Nigeria, Nsukka). Thus technically, the name University of Nigeria, Nsukka refers to the main campus at Nsukka only while the name University of Nigeria refers to all the campuses of the university. References may be made to the location of the other campuses by mentioning the names of the cities where they are situated rather than a blanket description with the name Nsukka. Students at the Enugu Campus prefer to write the name of their school as University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC)[20] if they must add the location of their school. Students from other campuses of the school also prefer same. Official documents of the school describes the school as simply University of Nigeria. They also make this dichotomy when referring to different campuses of the school.

 
High hill peek of UNN showing the beauty of the environment
 
A view from UNN Hill showing some parts of the school environment
 
One of the University's electric vehicle, reduces carbon emission to the atmosphere
 
The Conference room of the University of Nigeria ICT Innovation Centre

Faculties in the University of Nigeria

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Nsukka campus which serves as the main campus of the University has the following faculties listed below:[21]

  • Faculty of Agricultural Sciences[22]
  • Faculty of Arts[23]
  • Faculty of the Biological Sciences[24]
  • Faculty of Education[25]
  • Faculty of Engineering[26]
  • Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences[27]
     
    University of Nigeria Department of Pharmacy Building
  • Faculty of Physical Sciences[28]
  • Faculty of the Social Sciences[29]
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine[30]

Enugu campus has the following facilities listed below:[31]

  • Faculty of Business Administration[32]
  • Faculty of Environmental Sciences
  • Faculty of Law[33]
  • Faculty of Medical Sciences[34]

University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku-Ozalla Campus has the following faculties listed below :[35]

  • Faculty of Dentistry
  • Faculty of Health, Science and Technology

Aba Campus has only one faculty which is listed below:[36]

  • Institute of Nigerian Languages
 
Department of Library and Information Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

One of the departments under the Faculty of Education is the Department of Library and Information Science.

Religious bodies in the University of Nigeria Nsukka campus

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Christ Church Chapel Center, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. 
Christ Church Chapel Center, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Christ Church Chapel, University of Nigeria, Nsukka is an interdenominational chapel founded on 14 January 1965.

 
The Monument of St. Peters in UNN

St. Peter's Chaplaincy, University of Nigeria, serves the needs of the Catholic parishioners within the university.

Christ Church Chapel, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 
Christ Church Chapel, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Academics

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Novelist Chinua Achebe held research and teaching appointments at the university, beginning in the early 1970s. He worked in the faculty of arts with critic and African literature scholar Donatus Nwoga.[37] Astrophysicist Sam Okoye founded the Space Research Center in 1972. The Centre for Basic Space Research remains one of the few institutions in Africa that carries out research and offers courses in astronomy at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The first open heart surgical operation in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa was undertaken in 1974 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu. The team was led by visiting Magdi Yacoub from the UK and others in the team included Professors Fabian Udekwu and Anyanwu. The College of Medicine has since evolved into the centre for cardiothoracic surgery and tropical cardiology excellence for the West Africa region with the siting of the National Cardiothoracic Center at UNTH Enugu. Much medical research is also being carried out in the college.[38]

The Department of Fine and Applied Arts is known for the Nsukka group – seven artists associated with a system of traditional Igbo designs and styles known as uli.[39][40]

The Law Faculty of the university is the oldest in Nigeria; it was established in 1960.[41]

The Department of Electronic Engineering was named a Center of Excellence in Electronics by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1982. The department was established in 1981 under the faculty of engineering after the previous department of electronic engineering was split into two separate department.[42] The department offers a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronic Engineering to undergraduates, as well a MSC and Doctoral degree program in relevant specializations under Electronic Engineering. The Department has produced the highest number of first-class graduate than any other department in the university. The department has also produced many overall best graduating students more than any department in the university. It has produced overall university best for the three consecutive academic session in 1995/1996 1996/1997 1997/1998.

Library

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The University of Nigeria, Nsukka Libraries consist of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, the Enugu Campus Main Library and the Medical Library located at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla. On 8 March 2009, the multi-complex Nnamdi Azikiwe Library of University of Nigeria, Nsukka was officially opened by the then minister of Education, Dr Sam Egwu.[43] The library has embraced information technology to provide an effective library service to users and this was why it was one of the three leading academic libraries in Nigeria where TINLIB software was introduced in the 90s[44] After so many failed attempts to automate the library using a well robust integrated library management software, the library finally settled for KOHA Integrated library management software to automate its activities.[45] The library collection is unique because it contains an Africana section that houses rare books such as Biafrana and Achebeana. It has a total holding of 350,000 book titles and about 5000 serials titles.[43]

Alumni and faculty

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University of Nigeria Nsukka alumni are made up of numerous politicians, like the state governors as well as senators and ministers in the Nigerian and other African governments, academics, actors, artists and business people.

Further information: List of faculty and alumni from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Vice-Chancellors

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From the left Ooni of Ife and Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, CEO of Oil Serv Nigeria Emeka Okwosa and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Benjamin Ozumba

The Vice-Chancellor is supported by two deputy vice-chancellors. Former and current persons who have fulfilled the position are:

Affiliate institutions

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Below are some approved affiliate institutions of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka by the National Universities Commission (NUC).[57]

  • Assemblies of God Divinity School, Old Umuahia[58]
  • College Of Education, Ikere-Ekiti[59] (Regular)
  • College of Education, Nsugbe[60]
  • Digital Bridge Institute, Abuja[61]
  • Spiritan International School of Theology, Attakwu, Enugu
  • Spiritan School of Philosophy, Issienu, Nsukka
  • St. Paul's College, Awka
  • Trinity Theological College, Umuahia
  • West Africa Theological Seminary, Ipaja, Lagos
  • Yaba College of Technology Lagos[62]
     
    High view of Children Centre Library in UNN

References

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  1. ^ "History/Overview". Unn.edu.ng. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  2. ^ "Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu". University Of Nigeria Nsukka.
  3. ^ Participating Institutions. Delphe326nigeria.org. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  4. ^ "Through the years | University of Nigeria". Unn.edu.ng. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  5. ^ The University of Nigeria Calendar, 1991 – 1993
  6. ^ "Nigeria's endless educational crisis". The Sun Nigeria. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  7. ^ Obiechina, Emmanuel N.; Ike, Vincent Chukwuemeka; Umeh, John Anenechukwu, eds. (1986). The University of Nigeria, 1960-1985: an experiment in higher education. Nsukka, Nigeria: University of Nigeria Press. ISBN 978-978-2299-13-0.
  8. ^ Unaegbu, Jeff (2016). Freedom in our bones: the history of the Students' Union Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1960-2016) (Third ed.). Enugu: Timex Enterprises. ISBN 978-978-35602-2-2.
  9. ^ "University of Nigeria Nsukka". Times Higher Education (THE). 31 March 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Nnamdi Azikiwe | Biography & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  11. ^ "University of Nigeria - Home - AU-IBAR ECOSYSTEM". networks.au-ibar.org. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  12. ^ "University of Nigeria Nsukka". Times Higher Education (THE). 31 March 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  13. ^ ""University of Ibadan is NOT the first university in Nigeria" by Abdussalam Amoo". EduCeleb.com. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  14. ^ University of Nigeria. Unn.edu.ng. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  15. ^ ""The University of Nigeria Speech" by Nnamdi Azikiwe". Blackpast.org. 18 May 1955. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  16. ^ "Archive". UI Archive. University of Ibadan. Archived from the original on 9 October 2006. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  17. ^ University Development in Africa – The Nigerian Experience by Chukwuemeka Ike, Oxford University Press, 1976, pp 9
  18. ^ "University of Calabar, Nigeria". www.unical.edu.ng. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  19. ^ University of Nigeria Act
  20. ^ See UNEC POST- an annual magazine of the Students Union Government of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus
  21. ^ "UNN". University Of Nigeria Nsukka. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  22. ^ "Home". Faculty of Agriculture, University Of Nigeria Nsukka. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  23. ^ "Home". Faculty of Arts, University Of Nigeria Nsukka. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  24. ^ "Homepage". Faculty of Biological Sciences, University Of Nigeria Nsukka. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  25. ^ "Homepage". Faculty of Education, University Of Nigeria Nsukka. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  26. ^ "Home". Faculty of Engineering, University Of Nigeria Nsukka. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  27. ^ "Home". Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Of Nigeria Nsukka. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  28. ^ "Home". Faculty of Physical Sciences, University Of Nigeria Nsukka. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  29. ^ "Home". Faculty of Social Sciences, University Of Nigeria Nsukka. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  30. ^ "Home". Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Of Nigeria Nsukka. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  31. ^ "UNEC". University Of Nigeria Nsukka. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  32. ^ "Homepage". Faculty of Business Administration, University Of Nigeria Nsukka. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  33. ^ "Home". Faculty of Law, University Of Nigeria Nsukka. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  34. ^ "Faculty of Medical Science". Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  35. ^ "University of Nigeria Nsukka". Times Higher Education (THE). 31 March 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  36. ^ "University of Nigeria Nsukka". Times Higher Education (THE). 31 March 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  37. ^ Matzke, Christine; Raji, Remi; Raji-Oyelade, Aderemi; Davis, Geoffrey V. (2006). Of Minstrelsy and Masks: The Legacy of Ezenwa-Ohaeto in Nigerian Writing. Rodopi. ISBN 978-90-420-2168-6.
  38. ^ "Department Of Surgery | Faculty of Medical Science". Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  39. ^ The Poetics of Line. Africa.si.edu. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  40. ^ The Poetics of Line. Africa.si.edu. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  41. ^ Egu, Ken Chiedozie (8 April 2011). "University of Nigeria (1960- ) •". Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  42. ^ "Home". Department of Electronic Engineering. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  43. ^ a b Eke, Helen; Ekwelem, Vincent; Anazodo, Rosemary (2014). "Student's Perception of New Security Measures in Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, University Of Nigeria, Nsukka: Implications For Efficient Library Services". Library Philosophy and Practice.
  44. ^ Mole, Austin (2017). "Assessment of Academic Utilization of Online Information Resources by Undergraduate Students in University of Nigeria, Nsukka" (PDF). International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology. 7 (3): 29–48. doi:10.5865/IJKCT.2017.7.3.029.
  45. ^ "Koha - the World's First Free and Open Source Integrated Library Management System | EIFL". www.eifl.net. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  46. ^ "Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu". University Of Nigeria Nsukka.
  47. ^ "Dr. Romanus, Chukwuduruo Ezeokonkwo". staffprofile.unn.edu.ng.
  48. ^ "Unveling of Prof Charles Igwe as the 15th Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka". 12 June 2019.
  49. ^ "www.unn.edu.ng/internals/staff/viewProfile/NzI3". www.unn.edu.ng. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  50. ^ "Ozumba named new UNN VC as Okolo bows out - Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  51. ^ "THE UNN TRUE STORY FROM SOMEONE INVOLVED". community.vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  52. ^ "A peep into the life of Late Prof. Ginigemeh Francis Mbanefoh, 11th VC of UNN". DENpedia Media. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  53. ^ "VICE CHANCELLORS AND DEPUTIES". University Of Nigeria Nsukka. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  54. ^ "Prof. Udeala". Pharmanewsonline. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  55. ^ "Chimere Eyo-Ita Ikoku's life story (1928 - 2002)". www.forevermissed.com. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  56. ^ Anon (1983). Who's Who in Nigeria (2nd ed.). The Biographical Center of Nigeria Ltd. p. 122.
  57. ^ "Approved Affiliations". National Universities Commission. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  58. ^ "ATTS - Assemblies of God Divinity School Nigeria (AGDSN)". ATTS. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  59. ^ "College Of Education Ikere Ekiti - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  60. ^ "College of Education, Nsugbe - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  61. ^ "Digital Bridge Institute, Abuja - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  62. ^ Yabatech (2 March 2019). "Yaba College of Technology Lagos Nigeria". facebook.com. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
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