Overview and History of British Canadian University, Obufu Cross River State

 
In an era when higher education in Nigeria is not only about access but about relevance, quality and global orientation, British Canadian University (BCU) in Obudu, Cross River State stands out as a fresh and ambitious entrant. Nestled in a scenic part of Cross River State, the university offers students an opportunity to pursue a modern tertiary education in an environment that balances tranquillity with connectivity—to local communities, national opportunities and global standards. For many young Nigerians and their families, the promise of an institution that delivers not just a degree but also meaningful skills, exposure and employability is extremely appealing. BCU positions itself precisely within that niche: a private university with international-style curricula, multiple disciplines, and a focus on science, technology, entrepreneurship and holistic personal development.
Being located in Obudu offers some unique advantages: less urban congestion than megacities, a potentially more focused campus culture, and the chance to engage with regional dynamics—tourism, nature, community development—while still accessing national networks. For prospective students, BCU is therefore not just another option, but potentially a strategic choice: studying in a private university setting designed around modern curricula, with strong emphasis on employability and innovation. This blog post will walk through BCU’s official website, its motto, founder/background, history, leadership (chancellor/vice-chancellor), accreditation and recognition, academic structure & facilities, campus life & facilities, and where available, notable alumni. The aim is to give you a clear, humanised, and comprehensive overview of what BCU offers, so that you—and your family—can assess whether it aligns with your aspirations.

##Official Website
The official website of British Canadian University is www.bcu.edu.ngOn the website you will find detailed information about admissions, undergraduate programmes, the academic structure (colleges), contact information (Obudu, Cross River State), and news/updates. The site also emphasises BCU’s mission of “Your Gateway to Academic Brilliance”.

As with any new institution, the website serves as your first window into the university’s culture, programmes, facilities and student support – so it’s worth browsing in detail before making decisions.

##Motto
BCU uses the tagline “Where Knowledge Meets Purpose” (and similar phrasing such as “Your Gateway to Academic Brilliance”). 

This phrase signals the university’s intention: not simply to award degrees, but to shape graduates who have purpose, who apply knowledge meaningfully, who can lead change. It aligns with the institution’s emphasis on science, technology, entrepreneurship, and holistic development.

##Founder
The founding and ownership of BCU are somewhat complex in the public domain. According to reporting, the university was approved in May 2023 under the administration of former Cross River State Governor Benedict Ayade. 

Public sources state that the true owner of the university is unclear, with ownership and governance structures still under scrutiny. 

Nevertheless, the university leadership lists a Pro-Chancellor: Afolabi Oketunji (who is also involved in education and business) on its official website. 

For prospective students I recommend clarifying the ownership/governance structure directly with BCU during admissions, as this can impact institutional stability and credibility.

##History
The history of British Canadian University is relatively recent but worth summarising to understand its context and current status:
In May 2023, the Federal Executive Council approved several new private universities including BCU in Cross River State. 

The university is listed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as a private university established in 2023. 

The campus is located in Obudu area of Cross River State. According to its website the university offers programmes from three (3) colleges: College of Management & Social Sciences; College of Basic Medical & Health Sciences; College of Science & Computing. 

In July 2023, BCU was represented at the Forum for Innovation in African Universities, demonstrating early engagement with innovation and partnerships. 

Despite these positive signs, local reports have raised questions about the university’s ownership, funding, and whether state resources were used in its development. For example, commentary indicates that the Cross River State government may have been involved in its infrastructure and there was public scrutiny about whether the university is purely private or state-supported. 

At this early stage the institution appears to be actively recruiting, offering admissions, and establishing its administrative and academic structures. For students, this means you have the opportunity to join a “pioneer” cohort—but also the need to monitor how the institution develops, how accreditation is established (for each programme), and how student outcomes begin to emerge.

##Chancellor
While a formal “Chancellor” name is not prominently published in all sources, BCU has key leadership appointments:

The Pro-Chancellor is Afolabi Oketunji. 

The Vice-Chancellor appointment: On 24 October 2025 BCU appointed Professor Adejoko Waheed as the new Vice-Chancellor for a five-year term. 

Brief biography of Prof. Adejoko Waheed: He is a Professor of Thermofluids and Fluid Mechanics at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). He holds a Doctor of Engineering Science (Dr. Eng.Sc.) in Mechanical Engineering from Aachen University of Technology (RWTH) in Germany, and Master & Bachelor degrees from University of Ilorin, where he graduated as Best Graduating Student in his department. He has held the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at FUNAAB and is a registered engineer and fellow of engineering bodies. His appointment signals the university’s intent to bring strong academic leadership and global exposure to BCU.
For prospective students, leadership credentials matter because they suggest institutional vision, stability and capacity to deliver quality education.

##Accreditation and Recognition
Accreditation is a vital criterion when choosing a university. For BCU:

The university is listed among new private universities in Nigeria in the NUC list (June 2024 publication) as “British Canadian University, Obudu, Cross River State” established in 2023. 

The BCU website itself states that “All our programmes fully verified by the Nigerian University Commission (NUC).” 

However, given the newness of the institution and its programmes, prospective students should verify the accreditation status of specific programmes (especially professional ones such as Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Computing) with NUC or relevant professional accrediting bodies. In addition, you should check whether the university has full operational licence (rather than only provisional) and whether it has begun full admissions for all programmes.


##Academic Structure and Facilities
BCU has structured its academic offerings into distinct colleges and indicates various facilities. Here are at least six notable features of its academic structure and infrastructure:

Colleges and programme offerings – The university has three (3) colleges:

Management & Social Sciences

Basic Medical & Health Sciences

Science & Computing 


##Campus Life and Facilities
Campus life at BCU in Obudu is described as vibrant and student-centred. According to the university:

The campus offers “A thriving community of creativity and innovation”. 

There is residential life: residence halls with study lounges, communal spaces, amenities. 

Student life is further promoted: “Network and build lifelong friendships with a diverse community of students.” 

Sport and fitness are featured: “Diverse range of competitive sporting opportunities to help you lead a healthy and active lifestyle.” 

For students who choose BCU, this means you can expect not just lectures, but a full student experience: accommodation, clubs, sports, and campus engagement.