All arrangements have been finalised for the commencement of lectures at Wigwe University from September 21, 2024/2025.
This comes following the passing of Access Bank’s founder and CEO, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash in the United States with his wife and son in January.
Prof. Marwan Al-Akaidi, the institution’s acting vice-chancellor, announced in a statement on Sunday that students would be admitted to the faculties of Engineering, Science and Computing, Management and Social Sciences, and the Arts for the first phase of academic take-off.
He emphasised that the Board of Trustees, Governing Council, and other stakeholders of the institution are working hard to sustain the university and fulfil the vision of its founder.
The institution, which sits on 600 hectares of land in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, has a capacity of 11,400 students, 400 faculty and staff, and is expected to enrol 2,500 students, with staff recruited from Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa.
Al-Akaidi, formerly the institution’s Dean of College of Science and Computing and Deputy V-C (Research and Innovation), listed the university’s completed facilities as a gas-powered power plant that will provide 24-hour uninterrupted electricity, IT infrastructure, classroom blocks, student hostels, faculty buildings, an administrative block and sporting facilities.
He said: “We shall receive our first set of students into the university on September 18 and 19 for reception; but parents are welcome to visit the campus from September 5.
“Lectures will begin on September 21. We are fully ready with our world-class facilities to receive the students.’’
According to the Acting V-C, the institution was established to transform tertiary education in Africa, empower the continent’s youths to lead the charge in global leadership, innovation and progress.
“We are building a culture of innovation, providing students with practical skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership”, he added.