Miva Open University has opened its main study centre in Lagos to help tackle Nigeria’s university admission crisis, using technology and a blended learning model to reach more students.
The University unveiled the tech-driven strategy, which aims to deliver quality education to millions of underserved students through an innovative blended learning model.
At the launch event held at the University premises in Yaba, Lagos, Chancellor of Miva Open University and Group CEO of uLesson, Sim Shagaya declared that the institution is setting a new standard in tertiary education by combining artificial intelligence (AI) with physical learning hubs across the country.
He said, “We are here to solve one of the most pressing problems in Nigerian education today,” Shagaya said. “Every year, over two million young Nigerians sit for the UTME. Around 1.5 million of them actually qualify for admission, but only about 600,000 slots are available in our conventional universities. That leaves close to 900,000 qualified candidates stranded — not for lack of merit, but for lack of space. At Miva, we believe that with the right technology and model, we can absorb those students and give them the future they deserve.”
Shagaya explained that Miva’s answer to this challenge is a “blended learning” approach — a combination of online instruction and in-person academic support.
“Blended learning gives us the flexibility of digital delivery with the accountability and community of physical infrastructure,” he said. “We are deploying a powerful AI engine we call Mind, which offers a personalised learning experience tailored to each student’s pace, strengths, and weaknesses. Imagine a university where every student gets a customised tutor — that’s what Mind makes possible. It’s a scalable way to bring top-tier education to millions, at a fraction of the cost.”
Despite its digital-first identity, Miva’s model includes physical study centres that serve as support hubs for students, offering internet access, electricity, labs, and faculty interaction.
Vice Chancellor of Miva Open University, Professor Tayo Arulogun, said the design was intentional, aligning with regulatory guidance from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“The NUC is very clear: online learning alone is not enough. They recommend a blended model, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” Arulogun said. “Our Lagos Study Centre is just the beginning. We’re rolling out similar centres in other major cities and compact hubs in all 774 local government areas across Nigeria. Whether you’re in Lagos or Lafia, you’ll have access to a space where you can learn, interact, and grow.”
He emphasised that Miva’s approach is not just about convenience, but about breaking the stereotype that open or online universities offer a substandard experience.
“We’re building real-world touchpoints: labs, testing centres, libraries, even face-to-face time with faculty,” Arulogun noted. “Students can expect a holistic experience — not just a Zoom link.”
Since securing its licence from the NUC in May 2023, Miva has experienced rapid growth. According to Oladipo Olugbemi, the university’s Chief People Officer, student enrolment has surged from just over 500 in its first cohort to more than 5,000 by the end of 2024, with projections indicating that the student body could grow to 17,000 by 2025 and exceed 100,000 by 2027.
“Our ambition is to enrol one million students within a decade,” Olugbemi said. “That may sound audacious, but with technology and a scalable model, it’s absolutely possible. We’re not just dreaming — we’re building the infrastructure to support it.”
He added that affordability remains central to Miva’s vision of inclusive education.
“Undergraduate tuition ranges between N300,000 and N350,000 annually, while our MBA programme is under N1 million,” Olugbemi explained. “And all our courses are NUC-approved. We’ve recently added new offerings, including a Master’s in Public Health and another in Information Technology. We’re committed to making high-quality education both accessible and affordable.”
