Overview and History of Maranathan University, Mgbidi, Imo State

 
Nestled in the town of Mgbidi in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State, Maranatha University, Mgbidi (MU) is one of Nigeria’s newer private tertiary institutions that anchors its vision on faith, character and academic excellence. In an era where higher education faces increasing challenges — from curriculum relevance to graduate employability and institutional integrity — Maranatha University seeks to be more than just a provider of degrees: it aims to nurture individuals whose knowledge is complemented by godly character, service orientation and readiness to contribute to society. The environment of Mgbidi, away from the bustle of major metropolitan cities, offers a calm backdrop for reflective study and personal growth, while affording students the opportunity to engage with local community development. As the institution evolves, it represents both hope and ambition for students seeking higher education in Nigeria’s southeast region in a faith-based setting, and for a community eager to host a university that can generate human capital, stimulate local economy and build regional pride. This blog post will walk you through the key elements of Maranatha University—its official website, motto, founder, history, chancellor, accreditation, academic structure and facilities, campus life, and any notable alumni—so you have a rounded understanding of what this institution is about.

##Official Website
The official website for Maranatha University, Mgbidi is not widely referenced in publicly-available sources; however, according to institutional listings the university is registered and listed under the name “Maranatha University, Mgbidi” in Imo State. On the website (if accessible) you would expect to find admission information, programmes offered, campus news and contact details—serving as the digital gateway into the university’s operations and offerings.

##Motto
The motto of Maranatha University is reported as “Faith · Integrity · Excellence.” This triad emphasises the institution’s self-understanding: that faith in God undergirds its mission; integrity shapes character and conduct; and excellence drives academic and practical performance. In other words, the university’s aim is not merely to produce graduates who pass exams, but individuals who carry faith, act with integrity and strive for excellence in whatever they do.

##Founder
The founder and proprietor of Maranatha University is cited as Rev. Chukwuemeka Ngubo (also sometimes rendered Emeka Ngubo), via the proprietorship of Elim International Studies and Management Limited. 
Rev. Ngubo is also the Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the institution. According to his profile (in connection with the Lagos-campus incarnation of Maranatha University) he is a preacher, educationist, accountant and philanthropist who holds a degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and certifications in Christian theology and accountancy. 
maranathauniversitylagos.edu.ng
 His initiative in establishing the university in his home region signals a commitment not only to academic provision, but to community regeneration and faith-inspired leadership.

##History
Maranatha University, Mgbidi was among the list of new private universities approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Nigeria in March 2021. 
National Universities Commission
The university is located in Mgbidi, Imo State, and is designed as a faith-based institution aimed at combining academic rigour with spiritual formation. During its early years, MU announced that the first three indigenes of Mgbidi admitted into the institution would receive four-year full scholarships to encourage local participation and goodwill. 

The institution’s leadership held an inaugural retreat in 2023 to align staff with its vision of faith, excellence and integrity. 
orientdailynews.com
However, the history is not without challenge: in 2021 the university’s proposed take-off faced legal hurdles when a land-dispute case threatened the institution’s operations, as a suit was filed at the Federal High Court, Owerri, alleging the land for the campus was subject to litigation. 

Despite that, the institution has progressed, and by December 2024 a core programme (Cyber Security in Computing) was granted full accreditation by the NUC with a score of 85.71 %. 
While still relatively young, MU’s trajectory shows the university is working to establish its academic credentials, infrastructure and community presence. For students and stakeholders, it means being part of an institution growing in vision and capacity, though still in early phases of development.

##Chancellor
The Chancellor of Maranatha University is Rev. Chukwuemeka Ngubo. 
Brief Biography: He is an education-minded Christian leader, accountant and businessman. He serves as the General Overseer of The Living Word Revival Assembly (national headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos). He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and holds professional qualifications in accountancy and taxation. He is an author and conference speaker, and under his leadership the university emphasises the combination of faith, academic training and character formation. His institutional role as Chancellor aims to ensure strategic oversight, uphold the moral and spiritual mission of the university, and link the institution to networks of faith-based education and community service.

##Accreditation and Recognition
Accreditation is a key factor for any university’s legitimacy. 

For Maranatha University, Mgbidi, one clear milestone is the NUC’s accreditation report of December 2024 for its Computing programme (Cyber Security) which achieved full accreditation with an 85.71 % score. 

The presence of this accreditation indicates the institution is meeting national quality benchmarks in at least some of its programmes. While full accreditation across all programmes is likely still in progress (given the youth of the institution), these early steps are promising. For prospective students, it means that degrees earned here begin to carry recognized standard status. It is also reported that the university will emphasise character formation and moral integrity as part of its recognition strategy. 


##Academic Structure and Facilities
Even though Maranatha University is still relatively fresh, there are multiple indicators of its academic structure and facilities. Here are at least six noteworthy features:
Faith-Based University Structure – The curriculum and institutional culture integrate spiritual formation with academic training, emphasising “faith, excellence, integrity.” This shapes the overall structure of teaching, student life and governance. 

Academic Programmes & Faculties 

Computing  

Natural & Applied Sciences

Management & Social Sciences


##Campus Life and Facilities
Campus life at Maranatha University seeks to combine academic seriousness with character formation and community ethos. Some features of campus life and facilities include:

Residential Options & Hostels – The campus has been planned with hostels and lecture halls demarcated, enabling students to live on campus, interact socially and benefit from peer-learning and community living. 

Moral, Character & Spiritual Formation – As a faith-based institution, MU emphasises spiritual formation, character discipline and morality. For example, in a report the Vice-Chancellor urged staff and students to be intellectual and spiritual, stressing the institution’s commitment to stemming immorality. 

Scholarships & Community Engagement – The scholarship scheme for local indigenes shows that campus life is designed to connect with community and local development. 

Teaching & Learning Environment – The infrastructure includes lecture halls, labs in development, library facilities albeit to be improved, and staff development retreats—all forming part of the campus ecosystem.

Challenges & Growth – The NUC accreditation report highlights some facility and resource gaps (library website absent, lab equipment insufficient) but these are being addressed. This means campus life for students currently may involve conditions in transition, but with visible improvement. 

Overall, students at MU can expect to engage in a community-oriented residential experience, rooted in faith, aiming for academic growth and character building—though they should be aware that the university is still growing its infrastructure and resources.