The University of Benin (UNIBEN) is a government-owned tertiary institution, established on the 23rd of November, 1970, by the then Colonel Samuel OsaigbovoOgbemudia-led military administration of Midwest State. The University was established, first as Midwest Institute of Technology.
The University of Benin Nigeria also identified as UNIBEN for short is among the leading public research universities in Nigeria. The institution is situated in Benin City, Edo State in Nigeria.
The university was established in 1970 and happens to be among the country’s first generation federal universities. Just like most other universities operating in Nigeria, it’s recognized and has been accredited by the NUC (National Universities Commission).
University of Benin (UNIBEN)
UNIBEN also awards higher education degrees like post doctorate’s degree, doctorate’s degree, master’s degree, and bachelor’s degree. They also offer programs and courses in diverse areas of study.
Important Things to know about UNIBEN
- Official Website: www.uniben.edu
- Chancellor: Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
- Vice-Chancellor: Prof Faraday Orumwense
- Estimated Students: 75,000
- Campus: Ekenwan Campus and Ugbowo Campus
- Location: Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
History of the University of Benin (UNIBEN)
UNIBEN first began as an Institute of Technology and later on the 1st July 1971 the National Universities Commission (NUC) recognized them as a full-fledged University.
In April 1972, the name of the institution was changed from the Institute of Technology to the University of Benin. The change of name was announced by Samuel Ogbemudia, the former Military Governor of Mid-Western State. Still, in the same year, an optometry program was introduced under the Faculty of Science, under the headship of Paul Ogbuehi (Department of Physics).
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The optometry program faculty introduced consists of practitioners who were licensed both in England, the United States, and Canada. Many of the students in this faculty were mainly from Medical Sciences and College of Medicine.
In line with the request of the State government, the institution was taken over by the federal government of Nigeria qualifying the institution as a federal university.
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) now currently have a wide range of faculties which includes:
- Arts
- Agriculture
- Education
- Engineering
- Law
- Life science pharmacy
- Physical Science
- Social Science
- College of Medical Sciences (Made up of three Schools: Dentistry and Medicine; Institute of Child Health; and Basic Medical Sciences).
The College of Petroleum and Gas Engineering which is a branch of the University of Benin situated at Effurun, close to Warri, in Delta State was approved by the federal government. The branch started out with just 100 students in two departments which consist of Petroleum Engineering and Gas Engineering.
UNIBEN is the first University to have the first female Vice-Chancellor called Grace Alele-Williams who served from 1985-1991. The institution offers both certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses. They also have over 40,000 students comprising of both full-time and part-time students.
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) collaborates with both local and international universities and bodies. Some of the bodies they collaborate with include Ford Foundation, United Negro College Fund, Raw Materials Research & Development Council of Nigeria, USAID, and other public health, engineering, and agriculture.
