Overview and History of Dominican University Ibadan

 
Dominican University Ibadan (DUI) is a private, faith-based institution located in Samonda, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Rooted in the intellectual and moral tradition of the Dominican Order, it combines academic excellence with ethical formation. For students seeking more than just a degree—to become well-rounded individuals, critical thinkers, and socially responsible citizens—DUI offers an environment in which faith, reason, and service are deeply intertwined. Since gaining its full statutory license in 2020, the university has steadily grown in reputation and size, drawing students who want rigorous learning married to strong values. With Nigeria facing challenges in the educational sector—such as overcrowded public universities, underfunding, and questions of the moral direction of graduates—DUI positions itself as one of the alternatives where character, integrity, and scholarship are priorities.

In its policies, teaching, and community life DUI emphasizes the formation of the whole person: intellect, spirit, morality, and societal engagement. The university aims to produce graduates who are not only competent in their fields but also disciplined, honest, and ready to contribute positively to their communities. Its location in Ibadan, a city with rich educational history and a strong cultural tradition, gives students access to both academic and social resources. Though the university is relatively young in its university form, its roots go back through affiliate institutions and programs that have been operating for decades—giving it a foundation of experience as it carries forward into new fields and new opportunities.

##Official Website
Dominican University Ibadan’s official website is dui.edu.ng. The site serves as the primary portal for information about admissions, programmes, academic units, fees, vision-mission statements, announcements, and contact details. It is helpful for prospective students, current students, faculty and staff, as well as for external collaborators to stay updated on what the university is doing and planning.

##Motto
The motto of Dominican University Ibadan is “In veritate libertas”, which is Latin for “In truth, freedom.” This succinct phrase reflects the school’s guiding philosophy: true freedom is rooted in truth. It implies that education at DUI is not just about acquiring knowledge, but about seeking honest inquiry, moral clarity, and intellectual integrity. Students are encouraged to engage critically, to question, and to grow not just professionally but also ethically.

##Founder
Dominican University Ibadan was founded by the Order of Preachers, popularly known as the Dominican Order, specifically under the Province of St. Joseph the Worker (Nigeria and Ghana). This Order, established by St. Dominic de Guzman in 1216, has a centuries-long tradition of scholarship, preaching, philosophical and theological work. The university is their first full university in Africa, building on the work of the Dominican Institute in Ibadan.

##History
The history of DUI is a story of steady growth, deep foundations, and intentional transformation. Long before it became a full-fledged university, the Dominican Institute in Ibadan served as a centre for philosophy, theology and religious studies. In 1968, Dominicans chose Ibadan as a formation location for Nigerian and Ghanaian candidates for the Order. The proximity to the University of Ibadan and the Seminary of Ss Peter and Paul made it ideal for philosophical and theological formation. Over time, in 1993, the Dominican Institute became affiliated with the University of Ibadan for the award of a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. It also ran theology programmes in affiliation with international institutions like the University of St Thomas (Angelicum) in Rome and Duquesne University in the U.S.

In 2006, recognizing increasing demand and the need to broaden its programmes beyond philosophy and theology, the Dominican Order in Nigeria applied for a university licence. On November 22, 2016, the Nigerian federal government granted a provisional licence, officially establishing Dominican University Ibadan as a university. The university admitted its pioneer students soon after, holding its inaugural Mass in October 2017. After operating in the probational period, by letter dated June 10, 2020, the National Universities Commission informed the University that it had successfully met requirements and was granted full statutory licence. Thus, though newly designated as a university, DUI entered that status with decades of experience in teaching, moral formation, academic culture, and community service. The history demonstrates a careful, methodical building up rather than a leap without preparation.

##Chancellor
The Chancellor (Proprietor / spiritual and ceremonial head) of Dominican University Ibadan is Very Reverend Father Modestus Ngwu, O.P. (Order of Preachers). As Chancellor, his role is less about day-to-day running of the university and more about ensuring that the institution’s identity, mission, values (religious, intellectual, ethical) are upheld. He represents the Dominican Order’s oversight and spiritual stewardship. (Note: The Vice Chancellor handles the academic and administrative leadership.)

##Accreditation and Recognition
Dominican University Ibadan is recognized and accredited by appropriate regulatory bodies in Nigeria. Key points include:

The National Universities Commission (NUC) granted DUI its provisional licence in November 2016 and later its full statutory licence (after satisfying required standards) in 2020.

Prior to full university status, the Dominican Institute’s programmes (particularly philosophy and theology) were accredited either by NUC (for the philosophy degree) or by foreign theological accrediting bodies (for theology) through affiliate institutions.

DUI’s academic programmes are recognized nationally; graduates holding accredited degrees are eligible for employment, postgraduate studies, and other recognition governed by Nigerian educational norms.


##Academic Structure and Facilities
Dominican University Ibadan is organized into several faculties, academic units, support structures, and physical and service facilities to support teaching, learning, research, and student welfare. Some of the more notable features include:

Faculties

Faculty of Science

Faculty of Humanities, Management & Social Sciences

Faculty of Communication and Media Studies


##Campus Life and Facilities
Life at Dominican University Ibadan mixes academic, spiritual, social, and cultural dimensions. The campus offers more than classrooms:

Students live in hostels/ residential halls which foster community, shared values, and collaborative learning among peers.

Because of the university’s Catholic identity and Dominican roots, spiritual formation is part of campus life: chapel services, liturgies, reflection, moral formation programmes, and opportunities for religious engagement are available.

Student clubs, societies, and extracurricular groups give outlets for arts, debate, culture, media, sports, communication, and social welfare. These enable leadership development outside of formal lectures.

Access to physical facilities like classrooms, laboratories, study spaces, library reading rooms, e-learning or digital platforms allow for varied learning formats.

Support services such as student counselling, mentoring, academic advising are part of the university’s ecosystem, helping students navigate both academic and personal challenges.

The setting in Samonda, Ibadan is suburban but close enough to the larger city to enjoy amenities, parks, and social engagement, while preserving a relatively peaceful environment for study.

Notable Alumni

As Dominican University Ibadan is relatively new in its university form, its notable alumni list is still emerging. However, among its early graduates:

Udenkwo Chinedum Mary – Best Overall Graduating Student, Faculty of Science (Physical & Mathematical Sciences) for the 2021/2022 academic session. 
oyoreporters.com

Rev. Sr. Justina Chinonso Ezike – Specialty in Philosophy and Religious Studies; Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences for the same session. 
oyoreporters.com

These exemplify the calibre of students the university is producing in its first few graduating cohorts.