Benson Idahosa University

{{Short description|Private university in Nigeria}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2016}}

{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Benson Idahosa University
 | native_name            = BIU
 | image_name             = Bensonidahosa.jpg
 | image_size             = 
 | caption                = 
 | motto                  = 
 | established            = February, 2002
 | type                   = Private
 | chancellor             = Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa OON
 | vice_chancellor        = Prof. [[Sam Guobadia]] FCIA
 | colors                 = {{Color box|RoyalBlue}}{{Color box|#ffc425}}{{Color box|White}}Royal blue, gold and white
 | city                   = [[Benin, Nigeria|Benin]]
 | state                  = [[Edo State]]
 | country                = [[Nigeria]]
 | coordinates            = {{coord|6|20|N|5|38|E|type:edu_region:NG_source:dewiki|display=title,inline}}
 | campus                 = Urban, Multiples sites
 | former_names           = 
 | website                = [http://www.biu.edu.ng/ biu.edu.ng]
 | affiliation            = Church of God Mission International (CGMi)
}}
[[File:Benson Idahosa University.jpg|thumb|Benson Idahosa University]]

'''Benson Idahosa University''' ('''BIU''') is a private, Christian [[university]] in [[Benin City]], Edo State, [[Nigeria]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Benson Idahosa University {{!}} Ranking & Review |url=https://www.4icu.org/reviews/3451.htm |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=www.4icu.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Benson Idahosa University Home - Benson Idahosa University |url=https://www.biu.edu.ng/ |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=www.biu.edu.ng}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Benson Idahosa University Home - Benson Idahosa University |url=https://www.biu.edu.ng/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=www.biu.edu.ng}}</ref> Previously named '''Christian Faith University''' ('''CFU'''), it was renamed in honor of [[Archbishop]] [[Benson Idahosa]], a [[Charismatic]] [[Pentecostal]] minister from [[Benin City]], [[Nigeria]], and reflects his [[evangelicalism|evangelical]] beliefs.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}} He was the first president of the university. The current president of Benson Idahosa University, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Faith Emmanuel Benson Idahosa,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biu.edu.ng/about-biu/office-of-the-president/|title=Office of The President}}</ref> son of Benson Idahosa, is the Bishop of CGMi Faith Arena and Co-ordinator, Next Generation Leadership of the [[Church of God Mission International|Church of God Mission]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2020-07-13 |title=BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY, BENIN-CITY. |url=https://www.glimpse.ng/benson-idahosa-university-benin-city/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Glimpse Nigeria |language=en-US |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331171424/https://www.glimpse.ng/benson-idahosa-university-benin-city/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Founder |url=https://www.biu.edu.ng/about-biu/our-founder/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Benson Idahosa University |language=en}}</ref>

BIU is accredited by Nigeria's higher education accreditation body, the [[National Universities Commission|National Universities Commission(NUC).]]It is the only university in Africa with international membership with the [[United States]] National Academy of Inventors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://academyofinventors.org/member-institutions/|title=National Academy of Inventors}}</ref> Benson Idahosa University has maintained an enviable record in sports. BIU has maintained the best performance by any private university in Nigeria in all editions of [[Nigeria Private University Games Association|Nigerian Private Universities Games]], [[Nigerian University Games Association|Nigerian Universities Games]] and West African Universities Games.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-10 |title=Pastor Chris Oyakhilome donates and commissions new engineering building at Benson Idahosa University |url=https://thelighteousness.wordpress.com/2020/03/10/pastor-chris-oyakhilome-donates-and-commissions-new-engineering-building-at-benson-idahosa-university/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Lighteousness News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sports Unit |url=https://www.biu.edu.ng/campus-life/sports-unit/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Benson Idahosa University |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
At the dedication of the multi-purpose main auditorium, the founder, Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa, said "in 1978, God told me I was going to build a university to the glory of his majesty... only God could have done that, as building a university in Nigeria then was the preserve of Federal and State Governments in Nigeria."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biu.edu.ng/about-biu/history-and-philosophy/|title=History and Philosophy}}</ref>

The university commenced its academic programmes as Christian Faith University-Institute of Continuous Learning in 1993 at the Ugbor Campus. Successful candidates were admitted into two faculties—Basic Sciences and Management Sciences. National diploma degrees were awarded to students on completion of a two-year programme in affiliation with [[University of Benin (Nigeria)|University of Benin]], Benin City and [[Edo University, Iyamho|Edo State University]], Ekpoma (now Ambrose Ali University, Edo State).<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2020-07-13 |title=BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY, BENIN-CITY. |url=https://www.glimpse.ng/benson-idahosa-university-benin-city/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Glimpse Nigeria |language=en-US |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331171424/https://www.glimpse.ng/benson-idahosa-university-benin-city/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-02-03 |title=Margaret and Feb Idahosa to launch new University |url=https://thelighteousness.wordpress.com/2019/02/03/margaret-and-feb-idahosa-to-launch-new-university/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Lighteousness News |language=en}}</ref>

The head of management was referred to as the rector. The rector was Prof. Uche Gbenedio. With support from Mike Okagbare, the [[Registrar (education)|registrar]], and Mr. Adams, the bursar. Candidates were admitted into programmes in Computer Science, Computer Technology, Agriculture, Accounting, Economics and Political Science.

The [[university]] was later named "Benson Idahosa University" in 1998. In the 1999/2000 academic session, BIU had three faculties—Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences and Faculty of Arts and Education.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biu.edu.ng/|title=Benson Idahosa University Home - Benson Idahosa University|website=www.biu.edu.ng}}</ref>

The university received the required license to operate as a private university in Nigeria from the National Universities Commission in February, 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nuc.edu.ng/nigerian-univerisities/private-univeristies/|title=Private Universities |publisher=National Universities Commission|website=www.nuc.edu.ng}}</ref>

The university's fourth faculty is the Faculty of Law, which currently has provisional accreditation from the Council of Legal Education.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nigerianlawschool.edu.ng/|title=NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL|website=www.nigerianlawschool.edu.ng}}</ref>

In August 2015, BIU opened its second campus, popularly known as Legacy Campus, Okha, with the movement of Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technologies in August 2015, and commencement of Faculty of Engineering in September 2015. Prof. Ben Anyata became the First Dean, Faculty of Engineering in February 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-10 |title=Pastor Chris Oyakhilome donates and commissions new engineering building at Benson Idahosa University |url=https://thelighteousness.wordpress.com/2020/03/10/pastor-chris-oyakhilome-donates-and-commissions-new-engineering-building-at-benson-idahosa-university/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Lighteousness News |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2018, Prof. [[Sam Guobadia]], the acting Vice Chancellor, announced the commencement of a new faculty, the Faculty of Basic Medical and Health Sciences, which is proposed to house the department of Medical Lab Sciences and Nursing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2020-07-13 |title=BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY, BENIN-CITY. |url=https://www.glimpse.ng/benson-idahosa-university-benin-city/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Glimpse Nigeria |language=en-US |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331171424/https://www.glimpse.ng/benson-idahosa-university-benin-city/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Courses Offered in Benson Idahosa University ==

* Arts and Education: English Studies, International Studies and Diplomacy, Library and Information Science and Christian Religious Studies.
* Social and management Sciences: Accounting, Banking and finance, Business Administration, Economics, Mass communication, Political Science and Public Administration, Sociology and Anthropology
* Engineering and Technology: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and petroleum engineering
* Sciences: Physics, Mathematics, Geophysics, Microbiology, Biochemistry and computer science
* Law: Law
* Agriculture: Agricultural economics and extension services, Agronomy and environmental management, Animal science, Tourism and hotel management<ref>{{Cite web |title=Academic Programmes |url=https://www.biu.edu.ng/academic-programmes/ |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=Benson Idahosa University |language=en}}</ref>

The Benson Idahosa University has several faculties based in Benin City, Nigeria, including the Faculty of Arts and Education, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, and the Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology. The Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Law are located at the Legacy Campus, which was opened in the Okha district in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-05 |title=Benson Idahosa University |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/benson-idahosa-university |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Bensonidahosauti.jpg|thumb|[[Uti Nwachukwu]] (winner, ''[[Big Brother Africa]] 5: All Stars''),
B.Sc Ed Computer Education 2009]]
[[File:Bensonidahosa5.jpg|thumb|Rev. Wale Feso (Presiding Pastor, Charismatic Renaissance Intl), B.Sc. Accounting 2003]]

==Convocation==
The university had its first convocation ceremony (postgraduate diplomas and bachelor's degrees in arts and sciences) on 25 September 2004, with Prof. E.T Ehiametalor as pro-chancellor, Prof. Eghosa Osagie as vice chancellor and E.M. Obadan as registrar. The Chancellor, Archbishop Margaret Benson E. Idahosa OON, was conferred with a Doctor of Letters degree.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:5%;"|Year|| style="width:10%;"|Convocation lecturer|| style="width:10%;"|Honorary doctorate awardee
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| 2004 ||  || Archbishop [[Margaret Idahosa|Margaret Benson Idahosa]] – Letters
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| 2005 || Prof. [[Grace Alele-Williams]] ||
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| 2007 || Prof. Grace Alele-Williams || Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa – Letters
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| 2008 || [[Donald Duke]] ||
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| 2009 || Chief (Mrs.) Elizabeth Adegbite || Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui Okauru – Business Administration
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| 2010 || Barr. [[Jimoh Ibrahim]] ||
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| 2011 || Comrade [[Adams Oshiomhole]] || Chief (Mrs.) [[Stella Okoli]] – Business Administration <br /> Maj. Gen. [[Godwin Abbe]] – Public Administration <br /> Com. [[Adams Oshiomhole]] – Political Science
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| 2012 || || Engr. Goddie Isibor – Business Administration <br /> Chief Lemon Ikpea – Business Administration <br /> Deacon Daniel Eghobamien – Business Administration
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| 2013 || Prof. [[Julius Ihonvbere]] ||
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| 2014 || Hon. [[Kingsley Kuku]] || Deacon Vincent Agenmonmen – Business Administration
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| 2015 || Chief [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] || Pastor [[Chris Oyakhilome]] – Divinity
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| 2016 || Prof. Sidi Osho ||
|-
|style="text-align:center;"| 2017 ||  || [[Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko|Ogiame Ikenwoli, Olu of Warri Kingdom]] – Divinity
Engr Emmanuel E Egbagbe, FNSE - Business Administration
|-
|2018
|Prof. Abubakar Rasheed
|
|}

==Alumni==
===Notable alumni===
Among notable alumni are:
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> 
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦---> 
* [[Foluke Adeboye]], author, televangelist
* [[Eghosa Asemota Agbonifo]], entrepreneur, politician
* [[Blossom Chukwujekwu]],  Nollywood actor
* [[Uti Nwachukwu]], TV presenter

===Association===
Benson Idahosa University alumni comprise graduates of the then Christian Faith University, which later translated into Benson Idahosa University. Alumni groups and chapters have been organized in several states with a view to carrying on the traditions of BIU and strengthening ties and communication between alumni and the university. The association has been in existence since 2004.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.biu.edu.ng/ Benson Idahosa University]

{{Universities in Nigeria}}
{{Edo State}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Education in Benin City]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1998]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in Nigeria]]
[[Category:Benson Idahosa University]]
[[Category:Christian universities and colleges in Nigeria]]