The University of Benin (UNIBEN) is a public research university located in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It is one of the universities owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and was founded in 1970. The school currently has two campuses with fifteen faculties and a central library called the John Harris Library. The buildings in UNIBEN are sparsely built, they are not close to each other.
UNIBEN has a teaching hospital called the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
History
The University of Benin was established in 1970, initially starting as an Institute of Technology. It was officially recognized as a full-fledged university and accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on 1 July 1971.
On 1 April 1975, the university became a federal government-owned institution.
Grace Alele-Williams was appointed vice-chancellor of the university in 1985, making her the first female vice-chancellor of any Nigerian university.
John Harris Library
The John Harris Library is an academic library of the University of Benin. It is named after a pioneer University librarian, John Harris. The parent institution of the library is the University of Benin which was founded in 1970 and formerly called the Institute of Technology.
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. It is headed by a university librarian who oversees its affairs.
The John Harris Library was established through the promulgation of the Institute of Technology edict of 1970 but was accorded the status of a university by the National University Commission (NUC) on 1 July 1971.
Branch libraries
Faculty of Arts Library Faculty of Environmental Science Library Faculty of Law Library Faculty of Pharmacy Library Faculty of Agriculture Library Faculty of Education Library Faculty of Engineering Library College of Medical Sciences Library Faculty of Physical Sciences Library Faculty of Management Sciences Library Faculty of Life Sciences Library Faculty of Social Sciences Library Medical Sub-Library (UBTH)
College of Medical Sciences The UNIBEN College of Medical Sciences teaches medicine and awards a professional degree to physicians and surgeons. The College of Medical Sciences is made up of three schools and an institute, namely: School of Medicine The School of Medicine was established in 1973, then the Faculty of Medicine to Medicine, to run a six-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) full-time degree program.
The pioneer dean of the school was Professor T. Belo-Osagie. He was dean from 1973 to 1975. After his exit, 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. Sadoh.
School of Basic Medical Science 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 undertakes undergraduate programs for B.Sc.
In addition, the school provides services for other schools within the college: Schools of Medicine and Dentistry as well as other faculties in the university: Sciences, and School of Pharmacy.
The School of Basic Medical Science has the following seven departments:
Anatomy Medical Biochemistry Medical Laboratory Science Nursing Science Physiology Physiotherapy Radiography and Radiation Science.
School of Dentistry 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 introduced regenerative endodontics and modern microscopic endodontics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
Faculties in the University of Benin CodeTitleAGRFaculty of Agriculture (AGR)ARTFaculty of Arts (ART)BMSSchool of Basic Medical Sciences (BMS)CBTCBT Practice Categories (CBT)CEDCentre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED)CERHICentre of Excellence in Reproductive Health Innovation (CERHI)CFPDSCentre for Forensic Programmes and DNA Studies (CFPDS)COEWCollege of Education Warri (COEW)CPGECollege of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, PTI Campus (CPGE)DCOEMCollege of Education Mosogar (Delta State) (DCOEM)DENFaculty of Dentistry (DEN)EDUFaculty of Education (EDU)ENGFaculty of Engineering (ENG)ENVFaculty of Environmental Sciences (ENV)FCETAFederal College of Education (Technical) Asaba (FCETA)FCETALFederal College of Education (Technical) Akoka (FCETAL)FLCFrench Language Centre (FLC)GSTOffice for General Studies (GST)ICHInstitute of Child Health (ICH)INEInstitute of Education (INE)INPInstitute of Public Administration and Extension Services (INP)JUPEBJoint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB)JUPEB_AKJoint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (FCET AKOKA) (JUPEB_AK)LAWFaculty of Law (LAW)LSCFaculty of Life Sciences (LSC)MEDFaculty of Medicine (MED)MGSFaculty of Management Sciences (MGS)NILSThe National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILS)PHAFaculty of Pharmacy (PHA)PSCFaculty of Physical Sciences (PSC)SAGMSSt. Albert The Great Major Seminary (SAGMS)SASAll Saints Ekpoma (SAS)SCNSchool of Science, PTI Campus (SCN)SPESSECentre for SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL STANDARDS ENHANCEMENT (SPESSE) (SPESSE)SSCFaculty of Social Sciences (SSC)UBITSOffice for University of Benin Industrial Training and Graded Reports Scheme (UBITS)VNMFaculty of Veterinary Medicine (VNM)
Vice chancellors Kenneth Robson Hill, pioneer vice chancellor T.M. Yesufu, the first indigenous vice chancellor Adamu Baikie, second indigenous vice chancellor Grace Alele-Williams, Nigeria's first female vice chancellor, served from 1985 to 1991 Andrew Onokheroraye Abhulimen Richard Anao Emmanuel Nwanze Osayuki Godwin Oshodin, 2009–2014 Faraday Osasere Orumwense, 2014–2019 Lilian Salami, 2019–2024 Edoba Omoregie, 2024-to date
Notable academics Grace Alele-Williams Grace Alele-Williams was a Nigerian professor of mathematics education, who made history as the first Nigerian woman to receive a doctorate, and the first female vice-chancellor at any Nigerian university, at University of Benin.
Notable alumni
Enyinnaya Abaribe, politician from Abia State Oladipo Agboluaje, actor Emmanuel Agwoje, banker Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, co-founder, Access Bank Plc; founder and chairman, Africa Initiative for Governance Winifred Akpani, businesswoman, founder/CEO of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited Josephine Anenih, lawyer and former minister Fidelis Anosike Helen Asemota, professor of biochemistry and biotechnology Lota Chukwu, actress George Edozie, artist Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Abiodun Falodun, rector, Edo State Polytechnic Babatunde Fashola, former Lagos State governor, served two terms, 2007–2015; former minister of Power, Work & Housing in Nigeria James Ibori, governor of Delta State 1999–2007 Tom Ilube, founder and CEO, Crossword Cybersecurity Wellington Jighere, 2015 WESPA Scrabble champion Kwate, Nigerian singer-songwriter Patience Maseli, first female deputy director of Upstream Division at the Department of Petroleum Resources Richard Mofe-Damijo, Nollywood actor Darlington Obaseki, medical doctor and professor Gideon Obhakhan, former Commissioner for Education, Edo State, Nigeria Imade Osawaru, Nigerian actress, filmmaker and producer Omoni Oboli, Nigerian actress, film director and producer Loretta Ogboro-Okor Cairo Godson Ojougboh, politician Bright Okpocha ("Basketmouth"), comedian Suyi Davies Okungbowa, author and scholar Ovie Omo-Agege, senator in the Nigerian eighth senate Chike Onuorah, artist and painter Osonye Tess Onwueme, writer and professor Victor F. Peretomode, academic and professor Benedict Peters, founder of Aiteo group Amaju Pinnick, president of Nigeria Football Federation Ijeoma Uchegbu, scientist and professor Emmanuel Uduaghan, former governor, Delta State Sabina Umeh, singer
Notable faculty Alexander Oppenheim (1973–1977), mathematician
Awards Africa Outstanding University of the Year Award, 2023
Photo gallery
See also Education in Nigeria List of universities in Nigeria
References
External links