The University of Benin (UNIBEN) is one of Nigeria’s most prestigious and historically significant universities. UNIBEN is located in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, Nigeria. Since its inception, UNIBEN has consistently remained a center of academic excellence, producing some of Nigeria’s finest minds in politics, medicine, law, business, and entertainment. With its strong academic foundation, rich history, outstanding alumni, and forward-looking vision, UNIBEN continues to live up to its motto of Knowledge for Service.
The institution has grown into a hub of intellectual, social, and cultural activities, attracting students from all parts of the country and beyond.
University of Benin Senate Building
Establishment and Evolution
The University of Benin was established in 1970, initially starting as an Institute of Technology. Established in 1970 as an Institute of Technology, it was later upgraded to a full-fledged university in 1971. It became a university in 1971, took its current name in 1972 and became a federal institution in 1975.
Faculties and Programs
The university currently has over 15 faculties, including Medicine, Engineering, Law, Pharmacy, Arts, Social Sciences, Agriculture, and Education. With 16 faculties, the university offers a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs to its students. These faculties include: arts, agriculture, basic medical sciences, dentistry, education, engineering, environmental sciences, law, life sciences, management science, pharmacy, physical science, medical sciences, medicine, and veterinary medicine. Each faculty is staffed with experienced lecturers and professors committed to research, teaching, and the advancement of knowledge.
Read also: Requirements for University Jobs in Africa
Students study across two campuses, the Ekehuen campus and the main Ugbowo site.
The student population at UNIBEN exceeds 50,000, including both undergraduates and postgraduate students. This makes it one of the largest universities in Nigeria in terms of enrollment.
What’s inside University of Benin UNIBEN || UNIBEN Campus Tour | University of Benin Tour 😱
Key Facilities and Resources
University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH)
A significant component of UNIBEN’s reputation comes from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). UBTH is one of the top referral hospitals in West Africa, providing world-class medical care while serving as a training ground for medical students. The university has the University of Benin Teaching Hospital with a range of facilities and medical fields.
John Harris Library
There is also the John Harris Library located on the Ugbowo campus. The library, which holds large volumes of collections in print and non-print format, is situated directly opposite the clinical Student Hostel, popularly called 'Medical Hostel', within the university premises. The books acquired and shelves in the library cover all courses being offered at the university.
John Harris Library
Read also: Bindura University
College of Medical Sciences
The UNIBEN College of Medical Sciences teaches medicine and awards a professional degree to physicians and surgeons. The pioneer dean of the school was Professor T. Belo-Osagie. He was dean from 1973 to 1975. With the exit of Professor T. Belo-Osagie, Professor K. Diete-Koki became the dean of the school. Since then, the school has had various deans and heads of departments. The immediate past dean of the school was Prof. Dr. (med.) E. Oviasu, while the present dean is Professor Wilson E.
The School of Basic Medical Science was established in December 2003, by the College of Medical Sciences and was finally launched in January 2004.
The School of Dentistry coordinates courses and curricula within the College leading to the award of a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree.
The School of Dentistry, as it was known then, was established in 1976 and the first batch of students was admitted in the 1976/77 academic session. It was established as an integral part of the College of Medical Sciences in 1975 by an amendment to the Edict establishing the University of Benin. In 2012, with support from the International Federation of Endodontic Associations (IFEA), donations from the University of Texas at Houston School of Dentistry, and the Owen family, Dr. Mbachan Collins Okwen BDS.(Benin), DDS., MBA.
International Recognition and Partnerships
Internationally, UNIBEN is recognized as one of the first Nigerian universities to form partnerships with global institutions for research, exchange programs, and professional training. These collaborations have given students and staff exposure to international best practices, further enhancing the university’s profile as a center of excellence.
Read also: ISBAT University in Uganda
Alumni Achievements
UNIBEN also boasts an impressive list of alumni who have excelled in various fields. Adams Oshiomhole, former Governor of Edo State and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is a proud product of the university. Patrick Obahiagbon, known for his flamboyant grammar, also studied at UNIBEN and later served as a member of the House of Representatives. Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), a legendary Nollywood actor and former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, studied at UNIBEN. In politics, business, and law, UNIBEN alumni continue to make an impact. Ovie Omo-Agege, former Deputy Senate President, studied at the institution, while Tony Elumelu, the billionaire banker and philanthropist, also attended UNIBEN briefly before transferring.
Other notable alumni include:
- Grace Alele-Williams, Nigeria's first female vice-chancellor
- Tom Ilube, a technology entrepreneur
- Wellington Jighere, the first African world Scrabble champion
- King Kwate, an Afrobeats Maestro
- Benedict Peters, a Nigerian billionaire
Why Choose UNIBEN?
Choosing UNIBEN as your first choice in higher education comes with many benefits. Its academic excellence is widely recognized, particularly in fields such as Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Pharmacy. The affordability of tuition, as a federal government-owned university, makes quality education accessible to students from different backgrounds. The facilities at UNIBEN are among the best in Nigeria. From UBTH to modern laboratories, ICT hubs, and research centers, students are given access to tools and resources that aid in their learning and professional development. Lastly, UNIBEN’s vibrant campus life makes it a top choice for many students. From the activities of the student union to cultural festivals, academic debates, and social gatherings, the university provides an environment that balances academics with extracurricular engagement.
Benin Journal of Historical Studies
The Benin Journal of Historical Studies (BJHS), first published in 1997, is a peer-reviewed journal published bi-annually by the Department of History and International Studies, University of Benin. The journal provides a platform for the reporting and dissemination of research findings that make distinct contribution to historical knowledge. It publishes articles primarily in the areas of Nigerian and African history, and then the history of other countries and regions of the world. It prefers papers that are based on primary sources, and rarely essays or syntheses. It, however, publishes papers devoted to the theory and philosophy of history, and the methods of historical research. BJHS prides itself as a dependable medium for young and established scholars in the various domains of history and their intersections.
Call for Papers
Original and well-researched papers are invited (on an ongoing basis) from interested scholars for possible publication in the next edition of Benin Journal of Historical Studies. Every paper sent undergoes a process of double-blind assessment, and must meet the following requirements:
- Manuscripts should be submitted in English with an abstract of about 200 words.
- Each article must be an original work of the author, and make a distinct contribution to knowledge.
- The article should not be under simultaneous consideration for publication elsewhere.
- Manuscripts, which should be between 6,500 and 8,000 words, should be typed double-spaced on A4 paper in Times New Roman, 12 points font size.
- References should be documented in the Chicago Manual of Style (Humanities Style), 15th edition, highlights of which are:
- all references and notes to be numbered consecutively and arranged at the end of the work and titled ‘Endnotes’;
- reference to a book should take the format (for first reference): Fred I.A. Omu, Press and Politics in Nigeria, 1880-1937 (London: Longman, 1978), 35. For subsequent references, Ibid., 180, if immediate, and Omu, Press and Politics in Nigeria, 185, after other references;
- reference to a contribution in an edited book should follow this format: 1st reference: P.A. Igbafe, “The Pre-Colonial Economic Foundations of the Benin Kingdom”, in Topics on Nigerian Economic and Social History, ed. I.A. Akinjogbin and S. Osoba (Ile-Ife: University of Ife Press, 1980), 22. Subsequent references: Ibid., 28-29, if immediate, and Igbafe, “Pre-Colonial Economic Foundations of the Benin Kingdom”, 30, after other references.
- Journal article: 1st reference: A.D. Nzemeke, “The Foundations of the Modern Economic System in the Central Mid-Lands of Southern Nigeria: 1900-1908”, Présence Africaine, 148, 1998, 85. Subsequent references (immediate): Ibid., 88. After other references: Nzemeke, “The Foundations of the Modern Economic System in the Central Mid-Lands of Southern Nigeria”, 90. Ugbana Okpu, “Nigeria’s Dilemma: Development or New States”, Africa: Rivista trimestrale di studi e documentazione dell'Istituto italiano per l'Africa e l'Oriente, 38(2), 1983, 183-203. Subsequent references (immediate): Ibid., 190. After other references: Okpu, “Nigeria’s Dilemma: Development or New States”, 193.
- Archival source: 1st reference: Papers Relating to the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity, 1948, Ben Prof BP/2647, National Archives, Ibadan, hereafter NAI, 15. Subsequent references (immediate): Ibid., 16. After other references: Papers Relating to the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity, 17.
Popular articles:
tags: #Nigeria
