The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted an operational licence to Omega University, Kaduna, clearing the institution to commence academic activities and admit its first set of students in the 2026/2027 academic session.
The approval was announced on Friday in Abuja during the presentation of the university’s operational licence to its promoters, officially transitioning the institution from a proposed university to a fully licensed private university.
Presenting the licence, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, congratulated the promoters for successfully meeting the regulatory requirements for establishing a private university in Nigeria.
He described the approval as the beginning of a new chapter for the institution and urged its management to remain committed to maintaining the commission’s academic standards and quality assurance requirements.
According to Ribadu, the university has been approved to commence operations with 10 undergraduate academic programmes, adding that there is no obstacle preventing it from beginning admissions in the current academic session.
To support its early development, the commission also appointed Kaduna State University (KASU) as the institution’s mentor university. Under the arrangement, KASU will provide technical guidance and institutional support to ensure Omega University complies with the NUC’s operational and academic standards.
The Executive Secretary emphasised that adherence to regulatory guidelines would be critical to sustaining quality teaching, research and institutional governance.
Speaking on behalf of the promoters, the Chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), Reverend Joseph John Hayab, expressed appreciation to the commission for what he described as a transparent and professional licensing process.
He assured the NUC that the university would operate strictly within approved regulations and remain committed to delivering quality higher education.
Hayab said the institution’s leadership had carefully considered the guidance provided by the commission and would ensure that the university upheld the highest standards of integrity, accountability and academic excellence.
According to him, the goal is not merely to establish another university but to build an institution that will make meaningful contributions to national development through quality education and character formation.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor of Omega University and President of the Messengers Foundation, Reverend Dr. Tunde Bolanta, described the issuance of the operational licence as the fulfilment of a long-standing vision.
He disclosed that the university is fully prepared to commence academic activities immediately, with all required infrastructure and operational arrangements already in place.
Bolanta also assured prospective students that the institution would pursue an affordable tuition model, including flexible payment arrangements designed to make university education more accessible.
He welcomed the decision to appoint Kaduna State University as the institution’s mentor, noting that the partnership would strengthen academic development and institutional growth.
The Pro-Chancellor said Omega University aims to provide globally competitive education while promoting discipline, ethical leadership and values-based learning.
With the latest approval, Omega University joins Nigeria’s expanding network of licensed private universities and is expected to begin admitting pioneer students during the 2026/2027 academic session.
