Overview and History of West Midlands Open University, Ibadan, Oyo State

 
In an era when access to higher education, flexibility, and modern delivery methods are becoming increasingly important, West Midlands Open University (WMOU) in Ibadan stands out as a fresh and timely addition to Nigeria’s educational landscape. Located in Oyo State and anchored in the model of open, distance and e-learning (ODL), WMOU offers learners the opportunity to break free from some of the constraints associated with traditional full-time campus universities: relocating, rigid schedules, limited seats, and commuting burdens. Instead, WMOU promises access, technology-driven delivery, and alignment with the changing needs of students, professionals and lifelong learners. For many young Nigerians, working adults and remote learners, the concept of “study anywhere, anytime” is no longer optional—it's a necessity. WMOU recognises this. The institution is positioned to cater to learners who seek degree-level credentials but cannot commit to typical campus residency, perhaps due to work, family, geography or cost. Because it is based in Ibadan—a major educational hub in Nigeria—the university also benefits from the broader academic ecosystem of the region while offering a new, more flexible structure.

Moreover, the demands of the 21st-century workforce call for graduates with digital literacy, adaptability, self-learning skills and ability to juggle multiple priorities. WMOU’s emphasis on technology, online modules, and open learning aims to equip students accordingly. At the same time, the institution’s model has relevance for Nigeria’s national challenge: how to widen tertiary-education access, reduce the number of qualified youths locked out due to limited spaces, and harness digital infrastructure to deliver credible credentials. This blog post will explore each dimension of WMOU: from its official website, motto, founder, history, leadership (chancellor/pro-chancellor), accreditation and recognition, academic structure and major facilities, campus life adapted to open learning, and available data on alumni or early outcomes. Whether you are a prospective student, parent or education stakeholder, the aim is to provide a grounded, informative and educative overview of what WMOU offers, what you should look out for, and how it fits into Nigeria’s evolving higher-education scene.

##Official Website
The official website of West Midlands Open University is accessible at https://westmidlands.university/This site serves as the primary digital entry point for prospective applicants, current students and stakeholders. You’ll find sections such as: “About Us”, “Study Centres”, “Tuition Fees”, “Admissions / Apply Now”, and contact details. For example, it emphasises the university’s commitment to open, distance and e-learning.

If you are considering enrolling, this website is your starting point: check programme listings, admission requirements, fee structure, study-centre locations and how the online/distance delivery model is set up.

##Motto
While WMOU does not prominently publish a concise, short motto phrase in all sources, the “About Us” section outlines the vision and values which effectively serve as the guiding mantra. For instance, the site states that the university’s “vision is to be a catalyst for national development and global competitiveness by providing accessible and quality education to learners using sustainable technologies and world-class curricula.” 

In addition, the values listed include: Excellence, Innovation, Diversity & Inclusion, Social Responsibility, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, Continuous Improvement. 

So, in brief, one could summarise the gist of its motto as: “Accessible, technology-enabled, quality education for every learner.”

##Founder
The founder (proprietor) of West Midlands Open University is stated to be His Royal Majesty, Oba Murtala Adebayo Akande, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland. 

In press reports he is described as the “Founder/Visitor” of WMOU. For example, one article noted: “Earlier, the founder of the university, who is the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Murtala Adebayo Akande, said the new university would be dedicated to nurturing future leaders and engendering academic excellence.” 

His involvement signals a strong local institutional underpinning—rooted in the Ibadan community—and suggests the university’s ambitions are both regional (South-West Nigeria) and national in scope.

##History
West Midlands Open University is a relatively new institution, but its emergence reflects broader shifts in Nigerian tertiary education towards open and distance learning.

In June 2023, the institution received its licence (provisional) from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer degree-granting programmes online in Nigeria. Reports confirm that WMOU became one of the first private open universities in the country. 

A specific article noted: “West Midlands Open University, Ibadan, Oyo state has received licensing and formal approval from the National University Commission to offer degree-granting programs online in Nigeria as one of the first in the country.” 

The institution’s website clarifies that the university emphasises open, distance and e-learning delivery, aiming to reach learners regardless of location or circumstance. 

By December 2024, WMOU inaugurated its Governing Council, with key stakeholders, marking a milestone in its governance and institutionalisation. 

Then, in October 2025, the university formally held a matriculation ceremony for new students, with emphasis on the digital learning revolution and the role of open universities in expanding access.

From its founding to these milestones, WMOU’s trajectory shows: licensing ? institutional governance ? student intake. Because the institution is new, many elements remain in development (e.g., full range of programmes, alumni outcomes). However, for prospective students this means you have the opportunity to join early cohorts and help shape the institution’s culture—and you should investigate how mature the programmes and facilities currently are.

##Chancellor
While a specific “Chancellor” (ceremonial) is not widely documented in publicly available sources, the key academic leadership includes:

Prof. Olumide Babatope Longe, currently appointed as the founding Vice-Chancellor of WMOU. 

Brief biography: Prof. Longe is an accomplished academic in computer science and information technology, with experience in several universities including the University of Ibadan, Adeleke University, American University of Nigeria and Academic City University College (Ghana). He is a Fulbright scholar and has a track record in disruptive innovation and digital education. 

Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka was appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council in late 2024. He is a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

Given these leadership appointments, WMOU appears to prioritise experienced academic administrators and digital-education advocates, which bodes well for its development.

##Accreditation and Recognition
Accreditation and recognition are crucial when evaluating any university—especially those employing non-traditional delivery modes. For WMOU:

The National Universities Commission licensed WMOU to offer degree programmes and recognized it as one of the first online/private open universities in Nigeria.

The institution lists itself as “Licensed by the National Universities Commission.” 

The university’s structure is described as “single-mode Open, Distance & eLearning programmes” meaning the delivery model is intended to be online/distance. 

Given that it is new, one should check for each specific programme whether professional accreditation (for example for certain fields) is in place, what the physical/virtual facilities are, how student services are delivered, and how the degree is viewed by employers.
In summary: WMOU has institutional accreditation; individual programme maturity and recognition are likely in early stages and deserve verification.


##Academic Structure and Facilities
West Midlands Open University’s academic structure and facilities reflect its open, distance and technology-based model. Here are at least six key features worth noting:

Programme Portfolio & Schools – The admission and website information show that WMOU offers programmes in business, social sciences, computing/ICT fields initially. For example: 

BSc Business & Finance

BSc Business Marketing

BSc Business Management

BSc Economics. 


##Campus Life and Facilities
While WMOU does not follow the traditional full-residential campus model for most students, it still provides a meaningful “campus life” adapted to its open/distance design:

Virtual Campus Environment – Students engage via e-learning portals, virtual classrooms, online forums, digital libraries, thereby enabling access from any location. The university emphasises “learners from anywhere in the world”.

Local Study Centres for Support – In Ibadan, Lagos, Ogun and other states, WMOU maintains study centres or offices where students may access resources, interact with tutors, attend workshops or seminars. Example: Ibadan centre address given in the study centre list. 

Flexible Schedule & Access for Working Learners – Because the model is open and distance, students who are working, have family responsibilities, or are geographically remote can study on their own schedule—thus the “campus” becomes digital and flexible.

Student Orientation and Matriculation Events – The university held a matriculation event in October 2025 to formally welcome students. 

Support Services – Online student handbooks, ICT support, library service, result verification, registration procedures are all delivered digitally and supported by student-success units. 

Affordability and Cost-effectiveness – The fee structure indicates lower costs compared to fully residential universities and fewer relocation or boarding expenses for many students. 

In short: if you value flexibility, remote access, studying while working, and minimal disruption to your life, WMOU’s campus model is attractive. If you expect a traditional on-campus social life (hostels, sports teams, large student unions) you should inquire how much of that exists in the specific programme you choose.