EDUCATION: A brief history of Summit University, Offa
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
Summit University, Offa, with acronym ‘SUN, Offa’, Kwara State, Nigeria was established by the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society off Nigeria (ADSN), a prominent Islamic-faith based organisation, with the noble objective of providing high-quality tertiary education to all Nigerians, regardless of religious beliefs, ethnicity, gender, or creed.
With Professor Hussein Oloyede as its pioneer Vice Chancellor, SUN Offa’s establishment aimed to foster a holistic approach to education, emphasizing not only knowledge and skills but also moral and ethical values.
This vision, according to a brief history of the university made available to this Our Reporter, reflects the institution’s commitment to producing graduates who can stand on their own, become job creators, and are prepared for gainful employment under the “industry-ready graduates” mantra. These graduates, in addition, are expected to remain God-fearing individuals despite prevailing vices in society, the brief stated.
Summit University, Offa, which achieved significant milestones in its journey towards becoming a recognized institution of higher learning, received its provisional license from the National Universities Commission (NUC) on March 15, 2015 making it the 59th private university in Nigeria, and subsequently the university obtained its permanent operational license on April 1, 2019 thus further solidifying its status as a reputable institution.
The National Universities Commission had conducted accreditation exercises 2019, 2021 and 2022 and the SUN, Offa obtained thereby obtained accreditations for all its academic programmes. “This achievement affirms the institution’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence”, the brief stated.
The DEFENDER reports further that the decision to site Summit University in Offa, Kwara State was deliberate, owing to the historical significance of Offa as a hub for education. It is known fact, we gathered from the university’s submission in the brief history, that Offa community has a rich tradition of establishing educational institutions through self-help initiatives, such as the Offa Grammar School, the first community secondary in Northern Nigeria, founded in 1943. This historical context reinforces the Summit University’s commitment to academic growth and community involvement. The Offa community played pivotal role in the establishment and growth of the university, it has been said.
Since commencing academic activities on March 6, 2017, Summit University, Offa has consistently achieved academic excellence. The university attributes this success to several factors, including a serene and conducive environment, a dedicated and experienced teaching staff, and the rapid development of world-class facilities. Notably, the university boasts of well-equipped laboratories, a state-of-the-art library with e-facilities and high-speed internet connectivity.
SUN, Offa has made significant strides in ensuring the welfare of its students and nurturing a strong sense of community. “The institution has received generous donations from individuals and organizations, resulting in the development of various facilities on its campus. These include spacious female hostel, a cafeteria, a 500-capacity lecture theatre, additional hostels, a central mosque and an entrepreneur centre. These valuable contributions have significantly enhanced the learning and living experience for students,” the brief explained.
After six years of academic activities, SUN Offa has produced four sets of highly skilled graduates who have successfully completed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme and are gainfully employed. The university is taking steps, it was further explained, toward establishing a vibrant alumni association to maintain strong connections between the institution and its graduates.
Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria stands as a testament to the dedication of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Nigeria in providing a holistic education that combines knowledge, skills, and moral values. With its impressive achievements in a relatively short span of time, the university continues to make significant contributions to the education landscape in Nigeria.
