Overview and History of Miva Open University, Abuja FCT

 
In a time when access to quality tertiary education in Nigeria remains a major challenge—especially given overcrowded institutions, limited physical infrastructure, and the rising demand for flexible learning modes—Miva Open University emerges as a significant new option. Based in Abuja and operating primarily as an online/open-distance institution, Miva is designed to meet the needs of learners who require more flexibility, perhaps because they work, travel, or cannot relocate to a traditional campus. Its model reflects the global shift in higher education: moving from purely in-person lectures to blended or fully online modes, leveraging technology to broaden access, reduce cost, and enhance relevance. For many young Nigerians and adult learners alike, the traditional route—UTME, campus relocation, full-time residence—may not fit life circumstances. Miva offers an alternative: a degree programme that is designed for the digital age, a curriculum that emphasises employability and 21st-century skills, and a learning environment that adapts to student lives rather than forcing students to adapt to rigid systems. At the same time, the institution is anchored in Nigeria—licensed locally, operating from Abuja, and thus combining global flexibility with local legitimacy. For students who want to balance work, family, or other commitments while obtaining a university degree, Miva is clearly targeting a compelling niche.

In this blog post we’ll explore the official website, motto, founder, history, leadership, accreditation and recognition, academic structure and facilities, campus life (even in an online context), and what is known so far about alumni or early outcomes. By the end, you should have a grounded sense of what Miva Open University offers, who it’s for, and what to watch out for.

##Official Website
The official website of Miva Open University is https://miva.universityOn the site you’ll find information about the institution’s mission, programmes (both undergraduate and postgraduate), admissions process, digital learning environment, community learning centres, and frequently asked questions (FAQ) for prospective students. For example, the website states that admissions for the September 2025 cohort are ongoing. 

If you’re considering enrolling, the website is your key gateway: check the latest programme list, tuition/fees (when available), admission requirements (O’Level results, work experience for postgraduate courses), and schedule of online vs on-site components.

##Motto
While Miva Open University does not appear to display a classic short motto phrase very prominently in public sources, its “About Us” and “Core Values” sections emphasise themes of accessibility, innovation and transforming lives. For example, the site says it is “dedicated to removing the barriers that restrict access to university-level study and increasing educational opportunity for learners worldwide.” 

Thus one might summarise the ethos/motto of Miva as: “Flexible, accessible, career-ready education for all.” This reflects the institution’s emphasis on open learning, digital delivery, and aligning degrees with real-world outcomes.

##Founder
The founder and Chancellor of Miva Open University is Sim Shagaya. 

Sim Shagaya is a Nigerian technology entrepreneur, founder of the edtech company uLesson Group, and previously the founder of major e-commerce and media ventures. 

His involvement signals that Miva is born from a tech- and access-driven mindset: using digital tools not just for convenience, but to reshape how tertiary education is delivered in Nigeria.

##History
Miva Open University is very new, but has already made significant strides in its short history. The institution was founded on 10 March 2023 and is an initiative of the uLesson Group. 

On 16 May 2023, the university received its licence from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to operate as a tertiary institution in Nigeria. 

Initially, Miva offered eight undergraduate disciplines across two faculties (Computing, and Management & Social Sciences). 

 Over the course of 2024 the programme list expanded, adding a School of Allied Health Sciences and new postgraduate programmes such as the MBA (Master of Business Administration) and MPA (Master of Public Administration).

In October 2024, Miva matriculated over 3,000 students into its 14 approved undergraduate programmes, according to a press report. 

From its design, the university emphasises online and distance-learning modes, community study centres (in several Nigerian cities) and a digital learning ecosystem. For example, the website mentions “community centres” where students can book a slot to study, collaborate and access high-speed internet. 

Given this trajectory, Miva appears to represent one of Nigeria’s first fully online-/open-distance universities licensed by the NUC (rather than simply a conventional campus). This means: there is less dependence on large physical infrastructure and more emphasis on digital access, flexibility, enrolment scale. That said, as with any new institution, prospective students should check the maturity of programmes (staffing, curriculum, accreditation by professional bodies) before committing.

##Chancellor
The Chancellor of Miva Open University is Sim Shagaya (as cited above). According to the “About Us” section, his address as Chancellor welcomes students to the institution and acknowledges the strides made in recent years. 

Brief biography:
Simdul “Sim” Shagaya (born 1975 in Lagos, Nigeria) is a Nigerian technology entrepreneur, founder of uLesson, Konga.com (an e-commerce venture) and other media/tech companies. 

He holds educational credentials from George Washington University and Dartmouth College (and Harvard Business School) among others. 

His vision for Miva is anchored on harnessing technology to broaden access to tertiary education in Africa—especially for those who may have previously been excluded due to infrastructure constraints or geographic location.
Under his oversight, Miva is positioned as a “digital first” university: emphasising online delivery, open access, partnerships and future-oriented careers.

##Accreditation and Recognition
Accreditation and recognition are vital when assessing any university—especially newer and non-traditional institutions. For Miva:

The university is licensed by the NUC as a degree-awarding institution in Nigeria. 

Its website and ads explicitly state “Miva Open University is licensed by the National Universities Commission.” 

Because it is an online/open-distance institution, prospective students should confirm that the specific programmes they intend to study (especially in fields where professional licencing is relevant, e.g., health sciences, allied health, nursing, IT security) are approved and meet regulatory or professional body standards.

As a new university with early intake cohorts, the full scale of its recognition (by employers, postgraduate institutions, professional bodies) may still be in development—but the foundational regulatory licence is in place.
In short: Miva is legitimate in terms of NUC approval. The next step for prospective students is verifying programme-level accreditation and how the degree is perceived in your field of interest.


##Academic Structure and Facilities
Though Miva is an online/open model, its academic structure and facilities merit careful review. Here are at least six key features:

Schools/Faculties – The institution offers multiple schools, including:

Computing

Management & Social Sciences

Communications & Media Studies

Allied Health Sciences. 


##Campus Life and Facilities
Though Miva Open University does not follow the traditional campus-residential model, “campus life” in its context is worth exploring:

Virtual Community: Because the institution is online, students engage in virtual classrooms, recorded lectures, discussion forums, and live sessions—allowing for flexible schedules and self-paced learning.

Physical Study Centres: The Community Learning Centres (in cities like Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, etc.) provide optional face-to-face study space, networking, high-speed internet, and collaboration. This hybrid physical-virtual model offers more flexibility than traditional campus life. 

Support & Networking: The FAQ and site content mention masterclasses with industry professionals, webinars, events (for example the “Miva Academic Discourse”), offering students industry exposure, peer-networking, mentoring. 

Student Flexibility & Accessibility: Because you can study from your home or any place with internet, the “campus” becomes wherever you choose—it may suit working professionals, distance-learners, people with responsibilities. The key for student success will be self-discipline, connectivity, and time-management.

Activities & Engagement: While there may be fewer traditional campus social clubs or physical recreational facilities (since the model is online), the focus is more on professional development, digital collaboration, peer networks, and optional meet-ups at community centres.

Cost & Logistics Advantages: Without the need for relocation, boarding/housing, commuting, many associated costs of university life can be reduced. That said, students should ensure they have reliable internet, comfortable study space and self-motivation.
In summary: campus life at Miva is unconventional but tailored for the digital age. The trade-off is less on-site residence and more on self-regulated, technology-mediated learning. If you thrive in flexible environments, this model may align well; if you expect a traditional “campus experience” with halls, sports fields, clubs, you should check if your expectations match this model.