Overview and History of Maduka Unversity, Ekwegbe, Enugu State

 
In the verdant environs of Ekwegbe, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, a new chapter in Nigerian tertiary education is being written through Maduka University. In recent years, the call for universities that marry academic excellence with entrepreneurship, practical readiness, and moral values has grown louder—and this institution seeks to answer that call. For many students in the South-East and beyond, Maduka University offers a fresh alternative: one that is born out of a clear vision to produce not just graduates, but change-makers and job-creators in a region where access and relevance of higher education remain pressing concerns. The significance of locating the university in Ekwegbe is notable: it places the institution in a semi-rural yet accessible setting (along the Nsukka–Enugu new road) which combines peace, community roots and room for growth, while being within reach of major educational hubs. This setting positions students to benefit from less distraction, more focused academics, and an environment that invites innovation and community engagement. The human story behind the institution—where the founder channels personal success into building a university for service and transformation—adds a humanised dimension: this is not simply business, it is legacy, it is purpose.

As you read further, you’ll discover how the university presents itself online, its motto and guiding philosophy, the founder’s story, its history (although young, full of promise), leadership details, accreditation steps, academic structure and facilities, campus life, and early glimpses of its alumni potential. Whether you are a prospective student, parent, educator or simply an observer of Nigeria’s higher education scene, this overview of Maduka University will provide insight into what this institution stands for, where it is headed, and how it aims to serve its students and community.

##Official Website
The official website of the university is madukauniversity.edu.ng which serves as the central portal for admissions information, programme lists, news updates, portal access and contact details. 

On the site you’ll find sections like “Undergraduate Programs”, “Professional & Continuing Education”, “Student Life” and more, indicating the institution’s ambition to build a comprehensive university experience. — This online presence is a first stop for any prospective student to check current programmes, fees, application deadlines and institutional ethos.

##Motto
The founder has publicly stated that the institution adopts as its guiding motto: “Knowledge, Self-Reliance and Service.” 
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This triad shares a clear purpose: knowledge—ensuring strong academic grounding; self-reliance—emphasising that graduates should not only find jobs but create opportunities; and service—rooting the university in a sense of community, values and responsibility. It is a motto that reflects the founder’s philosophy and shapes the institution’s culture.

##Founder
The founder and Chancellor of Maduka University is Samuel Maduka Onyishi, often known as Dr. Sam Onyishi. 

He is a prominent entrepreneur from Enugu State (with business interests that include transport, logistics and other sectors). His story is one of building success and choosing to reinvest that success into education. For him, the university is both a legacy and an instrument of transformation—he has been quoted saying that when he turned 50 he made a covenant to serve his society by founding an institution that gives back. 

His vision for the university encapsulates practical readiness, entrepreneurship and value-based education—attributes which stem from his own background and wider engagement in business and community building.

##History
Maduka University is a very recent entrant in Nigeria’s private university space—but its inception is purposeful and rapid. Here are some key points to map its history:

On June 9, 2023, the university received its operating licence from the National Universities Commission (NUC). 

This marked the formal permission for the institution to operate as a university and admit students.

In November 2023 the academic session was approved to begin on November 23, 2023. 
The institution was set to admit students, offering a range of programmes across engineering, computing, business, law and more.

By April 2025, the university had matriculated 664 students in its second matriculation ceremony, a sign of early growth and community acceptance. 

In its public discourse the founder emphasises that the university is built to “alter my society significantly and in a positive way”—so the impetus is not only academic but transformational. 

Even though the institution is young, it has embarked on constructing infrastructure, setting up multiple schools (engineering, health sciences, law, computing etc.), and grounding itself with an entrepreneurial and value-based framework.

In other words, while Maduka University does not yet have decades of alumni or long legacies, its history is marked by swift establishment, clear vision, regulatory approval and early momentum. For students joining now, it offers the opportunity to be part of the foundational story of a university.

##Chancellor
The Chancellor of the university is (in effect) the founder, Dr. Samuel Maduka Onyishi. He serves as Chancellor and the titular head of the institution, giving strategic leadership and representation. As cited above, his biography includes his entrepreneurial achievements and community-oriented investments.

It's worth noting that while some universities have separate Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor roles, at Maduka University the Chancellor role is filled by the founder, bridging both leadership and ownership. This reinforces the personal stake and guiding vision of the institution.

##Accreditation and Recognition
Maduka University has undertaken the necessary steps for legitimacy and recognition in the Nigerian higher-education system:

The university received its operating licence from the NUC on June 9, 2023. 

It is listed in JAMB’s CBT centre listings as a recognised private university in Enugu State (for example as a registered CBT centre location) which confirms its operational recognition. 

External bodies such as the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) have conducted resource-verification visits to its Medical Laboratory Science department, signalling that professional accreditation steps are underway.

Public reports emphasise that the university “has never commenced any programme without due authorisation” according to its leadership. 

While full accreditation of all individual programmes may still be in progress (as is typical for new institutions), a student checking Maduka University can be confident that the institution is officially licensed and operating under regulatory oversight.


##Academic Structure and Facilities
Although still developing, Maduka University presents a robust academic structure and modern facilities from the outset. Here are six (at least) key aspects:
Range of Schools/Faculties – The university has, from early on, set up multiple schools including Engineering & Computing, Health Sciences, Business & Social Sciences, Law, among others. For example, the vice-chancellor noted there were six schools: Health Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy, Law, Business & Social Sciences, Engineering & Computing.

Diverse programmes – The approved programme list at take-off included courses such as 

Civil Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Computer Science

Cyber Security

Software Engineering

Accounting

Economics

Mass Communication

Transport Management

Nursing

Medical Laboratory Science

Pharmacy

Law 


Entrepreneurial and value-based curriculum – The institution emphasises that its programmes are designed “with a clear understanding of the shortcomings in Nigeria’s educational system” focused also on entrepreneurship, self-reliance and practical readiness. 

State-of-the-art infrastructure – From public reports, the university boasts “state-of-the-art facilities, good buildings, power supply, water supply” for students. 

The website also emphasises modern “learning facilities, external examiners, first-rate buildings” to guarantee standards. 

Online and portal systems – The institution has an e-portal for students and staff, online admissions, and access for updates and academic management. 

Research and professional collaboration – The university undertakes research with industry/community links (for example in the website section). External professional bodies (MLSCN) are engaging the university for verification in Medical Laboratory Science. 

Together, these elements show that Maduka University is not only offering standard programmes but is building a foundation for modern university experience: breadth of disciplines, practical readiness, infrastructure, digital administration and professional alignment.

##Campus Life and Facilities
Campus life at Maduka University, though nascent, has several features worth highlighting:

Location & environment: The campus is located along the Nsukka-Enugu New Road, Ekwegbe, making it accessible yet in a more peaceful environment compared to congested city campuses. 

Facilities & utilities: Reports emphasise the availability of good buildings, dependable power and water supply—important factors for student comfort and academic productivity. 

Residential & student support: While specific hostel capacities are still developing, the institution promotes itself as a residential campus with modern facilities. The university website emphasises “Student Life – arts & culture, recreation & wellness, diverse housing”. 

Student culture & values: From the matriculation address, the leadership emphasised that students should engage seriously, avoid distractions, and embrace entrepreneurship and value-based learning. 

Student numbers & momentum: The second matriculation ceremony in 2025 saw 664 students admitted, showing early growth and momentum in campus life.

Community engagement & extra-curricular: The founder’s remarks during the Founder’s Day emphasised business mindsets, entrepreneurship, and preparing graduates to integrate business into any profession. This suggests campus activities will increasingly include workshops, clubs and entrepreneurial modules.