Overview and History of Nigeria British University, Asa, Abia State

 
In the eastern region of Nigeria, the establishment of Nigerian British University (NBU) at Asa, Abia State marks an important development in private tertiary education. In an era when higher-education demand is expanding, both in Nigeria and globally, NBU presents a modern, purpose-driven choice for learners who seek not only academic credentials but also global competitiveness, technological readiness, and a learning environment aligned with 21st century needs. The university is conceived with the ambition to blend British-style educational standards with local relevance, thereby offering students in the South East and beyond the opportunity to access an education “close to home” while aspiring to international benchmarks. What sets NBU apart is its positioning as a “British-Nigerian” university: its academic model emphasises British educational philosophies — such as research-based learning, technology-enabled delivery, and close industry linkage — while grounding that within the Nigerian context. For young Nigerians in Abia State and neighbouring regions, NBU offers a pathway that may reduce the need to travel abroad for similar standards, and at the same time limit the gap between global opportunity and local access. The campus in Asa, located along the Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway, situates the institution in a strategically accessible zone, which is beneficial for students coming from various parts of the region.

At the same time, the launch of NBU comes at a time of several challenges facing Nigerian higher education: issues such as overcrowded public institutions, frequent disruptions (strikes), infrastructure deficits, and the gap between university outcomes and industry needs. NBU explicitly signals that it intends to respond to those challenges by focusing on innovation, practical learning, and global alignment. Of course, as with any newly-established private university, there are considerations around programme depth, recognition, student services and the maturation of institutional culture. Prospective students are wise to assess how NBU’s vision is translating into daily experience. In what follows, this blog post will explore the official website and online presence of NBU, its motto, founder, the history behind its establishment, leadership (including Vice-Chancellor), its accreditation and recognition status, academic structure and facilities (with at least six key elements), campus life and facilities, and finally any known notable alumni (with their specializations). Together, these sections aim to give a holistic view of Nigerian British University for prospective students, parents, educators or curious observers.

##Official website
The official website for Nigerian British University is https://nbu.edu.ng/the digital gateway through which prospective students can access information on admissions, programmes, campus life, governance and more. 

On the site you’ll find the university’s branding (“Advance Learning, Serene Environment”), details about why to choose NBU, and access to various portals (for application, enquiry, contact). The site communicates a campus-and-digital hybrid model, emphasising that students will benefit from strong IT infrastructure and global links. 

##Motto
The motto of Nigerian British University is: “Developing Potentials, We Trust”. This motto encapsulates the institution’s commitment to identifying potential in students and investing trust in them to become competent professionals, leaders and change-makers. It conveys that NBU does not simply deliver lectures, but aims to unlock latent talents, equip students with skills, and trust them to lead. The phrasing also speaks to a relational ethos: “we trust” implies a partnership between the institution and the learner.

##Founder
The university was established by an educational foundation (the Adorable Foundation for Educational Development) as indicated in some sources. The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees is Chukwuemeka Umeoji — he is cited at the commissioning ceremony as the one who described the institution as a “dream come true”. 

While full biography details of the founder’s individual identity are less widely publicised in accessible sources, the available information signals that NBU was conceived to change Nigeria’s education narrative by introducing an institution combining local roots and global standards.

##History
Nigerian British University is a young institution, but its founding and early milestones are significant in understanding its trajectory. The National Universities Commission (NUC) granted approval or licence for the university to operate as a private university in May 2022. 

The university campus is located at Kilometre 10 Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway, Asa (Ukwa West LGA), Abia State. 

In February 2023, the then-Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, formally commissioned the university and awarded scholarships to the first cohort of 20 students (with five drawn from the host local government area). 

At the time of commissioning, the university highlighted distinctive features: it claimed to be “the first of its kind East of the Niger” and to have, among its facilities, a golf course as part of its campus amenities. 

In its early years, NBU admitted a pioneer student cohort of 65 undergraduates into its start-up faculties (Law, Management & Social Sciences, Computing & Information Technology) and warned students about strict adherence to values (zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractices). 

In March 2025, the NUC accredited 24 courses for the university (initially 16 at take-off, later expanded by an additional 8 via resource verification) across five faculties: Law; Management & Social Sciences; Computing & Information Technology; Basic Medical & Allied Health Sciences; Engineering & Applied Sciences. 

This licensing and accreditation path indicates that NBU is progressing, although it remains in relatively early phases of institutional growth (infrastructure build-out, staff recruitment, student enrollment, alumni emergence).

Thus, NBU’s history is recent but marked by significant steps: licensing in 2022, commissioning in 2023, first student intake, and accreditation of programmes in 2024–2025. For a prospective student, that means NBU offers fresh opportunities, but also an environment still maturing — meaning you may be joining a pioneering cohort shaping the institution’s identity.

##Chancellor
While the official title “Chancellor” for Nigerian British University is referenced in the organisational structure, the key executive leader publicly profiled is the Vice-Chancellor: Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, appointed as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, effective 3 April 2023. 

Brief biography:
Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi is a distinguished scholar in Clinical Anatomy and Biomedical Anthropology. He earned his BMedSc and MBBS at the University of Port Harcourt, a Master’s from the University of London, and an MD. He has served as Head of Department of Anatomy, Dean of Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at UniPort. 

His academic credentials include over 100 scholarly articles, numerous research engagements, leadership roles in national/international professional bodies (including the Anatomical Society of Nigeria and the Royal Anthropological Institute). He brings strong institutional management experience and research orientation to NBU.

While the Chancellor (ceremonial head) is not widely named in accessible sources, NBU’s organisational documentation shows that the Chancellor is the ceremonial figure representing the university at official functions, while operational leadership resides with the Vice-Chancellor and supporting officers. 

##Accreditation and Recognition
Accreditation and recognition are vital for evaluating any university’s merit and ensuring that degrees awarded are credible. For Nigerian British University:

The university received its licence to operate from the National Universities Commission (NUC) as a private university in May 2022. 

In March 2025, the NUC accredited 24 degree programmes for NBU (initially 16 take-off programmes, expanded via resource verification) across five faculties. 

The university’s official FAQ page states that NBU is “fully accredited by the relevant Nigerian education authorities, ensuring that all our programs meet high academic and professional standards.” 

These markers show that NBU has formal recognition and is positioning its programmes for validity. Prospective students should still verify, for their specific programme of interest, the current accreditation status (especially for professional courses like engineering, computing or law) and whether regulatory/professional bodies recognise such degrees for registration, practice or further education.


##Academic Structure and Facilities
Nigerian British University combines an academic structure and facilities oriented toward global readiness, technology integration and practical learning. Here are six (or more) key features:

Faculties and Programmes – NBU offers degree programmes across five approved faculties: 

Law

Management & Social Sciences

Computing & Information Technology

Basic Medical & Allied Health Sciences

Engineering & Applied Sciences. 


##Campus Life and Facilities
Campus life at NBU is structured to combine technology-enabled learning with vibrant student experience and strong discipline. Key aspects:

The campus location at Kilometre 10 Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway, Asa (Ukwa West LGA), Abia State, situates the university in a developing educational zone with potential for growth and connectivity. 

Student life announcements emphasise involvement in sports clubs (golf, football), social activities (cinemas, concerts) and serious emphasis on security and welfare: 24/7 access, CCTV, eco-power/water supply. 

Governance statements from the Vice-Chancellor stress zero-tolerance for cultism, examination misconduct, and emphasise character and learning. For example, at the maiden matriculation, the VC stated the certificate will “be based on character and learning, with character preceding learning.” 

Student infrastructure is being built deliberately: NBU advertises modern lecture halls, digital platforms, online/off-campus access, and an innovation/entrepreneurship hub. This supports a dynamic student experience beyond traditional classroom-only modes. 

Because the university is relatively new, students may experience being part of a growing community where they help shape clubs, societies and campus culture — which can be an advantage for those who want active involvement.