Igbinedion University, Okada marks the realization of the dream of Chief (Sir) Dr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, to bequeath to future generation of Nigeria University education of international standard where academic calendar is faithfully run without interruption.
The planning committee was inaugurated on 13TH March 1995, comprising distinguished scholars and seasoned University administrators whose responsibilities amongst others included the formulation of the Academic Brief for the actualization of the Igbinedion University project.
The members of the committee were: Chief (Dr) Sir G. O. Igbinedion JP (Proprietor/Chairman), Late Pa S. I. Omorogbe , JP (Vice Chairman), Prof. T. M. Yesufu, Amb. (Dr.) A. I. Guobadia, Mr. Frank I. Imouokhome, Late Prof. P. N. Egharevba, Mr. Bright Igbinedion , A.O. Eghobamien Esq (SAN) (Member/ Legal Adviser), Late Prince R. A. Williams JP (Member/ Secretary).
The committee’s dedication to duty and resolute determination to provide a unique platform for higher education in Nigeria resulted in the presentation of certificate No. 01 dated 20th April 1999, to Chief Igbinedion on the 10th of May 1999. An implementation committee was immediately constituted on 12th May 1999 with the enlargement of the planning committee to include Prof. E. U. Emovon, FAS as the interim Vice Chancellor, Hon. Justice I.O. Aluyi, (Rtd), Mr. I. E. Edokpolor and Dr. T. B. E. Ogiamien, with Prince R. A. Williams as the Registrar. The Committee was dissolved with the inauguration of the Governing Council of the University on 14th October 1999 by the Proprietor and Chancellor. The Implementation Committee worked assiduously for six months as the Provisional Governing Council and Senate, guiding the physical and academic developments of the University. Prof. Bashir Ahmad Ikara was the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council whose composition spanned the length and breadth of Nigeria and covered a variety of professions and interests. The members included: Prof. Bashir Ahmad Ikara- Pro-Chancellor & Chairman, Prof. E.U. Emovon, FAS- Vice Chancellor ad interim, Mr. Bright Igbinedion, Dr. B. J. E. Itsuele, Prof. A. U. Osagie, Dr. S. A. Ingawa, Prof. P.O. Erhabor, Prof. Olu Aina, Prof. G. C. Onyemelukwe, Prof. Mike Kwanashie, Engr. Festus Omo Evbuomwan, Hon. Justice (Rtd) I. O. Aluyi, Amb. (Dr.) Abel I. Guobadia (JP), Chief Eduwu Ekhator Obasogie (JP), Chief M. Okoya Thomas, Prof. Ikejiani-Clark, Prof. A. Akindoyemi, Prof. U. Joy Ogwu, Mr. R. A. Williams (JP) – Registrar & Secretary.
Professor Anthony U. Osagie who was appointed Vice- Chancellor, served from 29th October 1999 to 30th November 2003, while Prince R. A. Williams remained the Registrar and Secretary to Council till 31th May, 2000. Thereafter, Mrs. O.T. Oni (Deputy Registrar) acted as the Registrar from 1st June 2000 to 28th November, 2001. Dr. (Mrs.) S. A. Asagwara assumed duty as the second substantive Registrar and Secretary Council on 29th November 2001. Dr. (Mrs.) Asagwara withdrew her service on 31th 2007. Mr. P. S. Nwaokolo served as the Acting Registrar from 1st August, 2007 to 5th May, 2009, on 6th May 2009, Mr. Edwin O. Okoro assumed duty as the third substantive Registrar. Dr. D. O. Olopade assumed duty as Bursar on 12th November 2001, while Mr. R. Olorunsola became the Ag. University Liberian on 22nd November 2002. Dr. (Mrs.) G.D. Ekpenyong served as University Liberian from 13th March, 2007 to 29th January 2009. Mr. Osas T. Evbayakha JP was appointed Bursar on 11th November 2007, while the University Liberian, Mr. Yakubu A. Izevbekhia assumed duty on 1st June, 2009. Mr. Nosa Edogiawerie was appointed Acting Bursar on 3rd September, 2010.
With the exit of Prof. Ikara in 2001, Response to a call for national service, Prof. Olu Aina, OFR, former Registrar and chief Executive of National Business and Technical Examinations Board, was appointed the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council. Prof. Nduka Uraih served as Deputy Vice Chancellor from 2000-2003 and as Ag. Vice Chancellor from December 2003 to 11th September, 2004 following the expiration of the tenure of Prof. A. U. Osagie. In July 2004, the Council was reconstituted and Prof. Olu Aina OFR was re-appointed the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the current Governing Council to which Prof. Femi Odekunle was appointed a member on 13th September 2008.
On 13th September 2004, Professor Eghosa E. Osaghae of the University of Ibadan, assumed duty as the second substantive Vice Chancellor. He was re-appointed for a second term of five years on 13th September 2008 and re-appointed again on 8th July 2013 with effect from 13th September 2013. Professor Dennis E. Agbonlahor, Former Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, was appointed administrative consultant to the University in September 2004, to help ease off the task of the Hon. Chancellor, a position he held until February 2006. On 12th September, 2005, Prof. L. C. Chiedozi was appointed the first Deputy Vice Chancellor. On expiration of his tenure Prof. (Mrs.) Tonye G. Okorie was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor on 13th September 2008. On 1st October, 2013, Prof. Alexander B. Odiabo was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor following the expiration of the tenure of Prof. (Mrs.) Tonye G. Okorie.
ACADEMIC HISTORY
The University commenced its academic programmes in the 1999/2000 session in five Colleges namely, Arts and Social Sciences, Business and Management Studies, Health Sciences, Law and Natural and Applied Sciences. The foundation students arrived Okada on Friday, 15th October 1999. Since then, the University has without interruption upheld its resolve to return tertiary education to the internationally accepted calendar of September to June. The College of Engineering commenced its programme in the 2002/2003 session. The College of Health Sciences continued to be an area of popular demand. The College of Pharmacy and B.Sc Nursing commenced in 2004/2005 session. The Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital administered by a Management Board inaugurated first on 12th January 2003, oversees the affairs of the Hospital. As part of its objectives to train and produce job providers, Igbinedion University has Packaged entrepreneurial and skills acquisitions modules to expose students sufficiently enough to be ‘fit for the world of work’. In addition, a community service programme was introduced in the 2009/2010 session. Under the programmed, all second year students across the Colleges are required to undertake a practical development Programme in a chosen area and community in and round the university/town.
The student population has grown steadily from 111 in the 1999/2000 session to 5036 in 2012/2013, while the staff strength has increased from 55 in 1999/2000 to 565 made of 290 Teaching staff (50 of who are Professors) 153 Senior Non-Teaching staff and 213 Junior and Intermediate staff over the same period.
Academic programmes in Medicine, Law, Arts and Social Sciences, Business and Management Studies, Natural and Applied Sciences and Engineering which are mature, are re-accredited, from time to time by Nigerian Universities Commission and the relevant Professional bodies.
The Oba Erediauwa College of Law turned out its first crop of graduates in 2004. The eleventh batch graduating today is already at the Law School.
At this convocation, the University is graduating its eighth set of Medical Doctors, and has continued to maintain the distinction of being the first ever Private University in Africa , South of the Sahara to produce Medical Doctors. The University is also graduating her eighth crop of talented and well groomed Engineers from Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar College of Engineering.
UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION DAY
Following the presentation of the Certificate to establish Igbinedion University to Chief (Dr.) Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion on 10th May 1999, the date 10th May has been adopted as the University’s foundation day. Consequently, the maiden celebration was marked in may 2005,the second in May 2006, Third in May 2007, the forth in May 2008, the fifth in May 2009, the sixth in May 2010, the seventh in May 2011, the eighth in May 2012, the ninth in May 2013, the tenth in May 2014. The University celebrated its 10th milestone anniversary in May 2009.
