American Open University Launches in Nigeria with a Bold Vision to “Fix the Future” of Education

In a landmark event that signals a paradigm shift for higher education in Africa, American Open University (A-Global), Nigeria, officially opened its doors today at its Global Campus in Ibadan.

The launch brought together academic heavyweights, industry leaders, regulatory bodies, and community stakeholders to celebrate the birth of a new educational model designed to bridge the widening gap between academic degrees and workplace reality.

The event, themed “Future Forward,” was not just a ceremony but a declaration of intent to disrupt the status quo.

“Visions Don’t Die”

In his emotional inaugural address, the President and Founder of American Open University, Dr. David Seyi Akanbi, reflected on the journey to this moment.

“Visions don’t die,” Dr. Akanbi told the packed audience. “Even when the visioners pass on, the dream continues. Fortunately, today, the dream has come true, and the team that championed it is here to celebrate it.”

Dr. Akanbi articulated the university’s core philosophy, inspired by Buckminster Fuller: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”

“The old promise, ‘go to school, get good grades, get a job,’ is broken,” Dr. Akanbi declared. “We are here to fix that. We have built an institution where the walls of the classroom are as wide as the world itself. Through our hybrid model and partnerships with global giants like Microsoft, Google, and Cisco, we are telling the Nigerian student: You are no longer limited.”

The Autarchic-Asymmetric Model

The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Francis O. Egbokhare of the University of Ibadan, delivered a thought-provoking lecture titled “The Autarchic–Asymmetric Model for Nigerian Higher Education.”

Challenging the prevailing narrative, Prof. Egbokhare argued that Nigeria’s education crisis is not one of scarcity, but of waste. “Infrastructure exists but is underused. Talent exists but is excluded,” he noted.

He proposed the “Autarchic-Asymmetric Model” as the solution for A-Global and Nigeria at large:

• Autarchic (Self-Reliant): Reducing dependence on imported educational resources by developing local content and resilient infrastructure.
• Asymmetric (Disruptive): Using speed and technology to bypass traditional hurdles. Prof. Egbokhare advocated for a “campus-less campus” approach, repurposing underutilized spaces like community halls and religious centers as learning hubs.

“Nigeria’s challenge is not a lack of ideas or talent,” Prof. Egbokhare concluded. “It is a failure of institutional imagination. Higher education must be redesigned for the country we have, not the country we wish we were copying.”

Industry, Regulatory, and Community Endorsements

The launch received overwhelming support from a diverse group of dignitaries who delivered goodwill messages, signaling strong institutional and community backing for A-Global’s innovative model.

Mrs. Temitope Akintola, the Zonal Director of JAMB (Ibadan), praised the university’s commitment to expanding access to quality education, while Mr. Toyin Olatayo, Academic Director of UniTES CISCO Academy, highlighted the critical value of integrating industry certifications into the A-Global curriculum.

Professional bodies were strongly represented, with Mrs. Omolara Onipede, Chairman of CIPM Oyo State (representing the Registrar/CE), and Mr. Julius Olaniyan of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) welcoming the university’s focus on professionalizing the workforce. Mr. Akeem Abas, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, commended the university’s transparent and forward-looking communication strategy.

Ensuring the safety and security of the learning environment, CSP Adegoke A. Dawodu, representing the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, pledged the force’s support.

The university also received strong backing from its host community, with goodwill messages from Chief Oladipo Oladosu, a key community stakeholder, and Prof. Akin Iwayeni, the Neighborhood Community Chairman, who welcomed the development the university brings to the area.

A New Era Begins

The event concluded with a tour of the Global Campus facilities and a demonstration of the university’s hybrid learning platforms.

American Open University is now open for admission, offering a range of NUC-approved undergraduate programs designed to produce graduates who are not just employable, but are “Future Forward.”

Available Programs & Specializations

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into the following NUC-approved programs, engineered with a “Future Forward” philosophy that integrates Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Digital Strategy into the fabric of every discipline.  Each degree offers specialized Learning Paths designed to align with specific career trajectories:

A. College of Technology

• B.Sc. Data Science: Focus on NLP, Computer Vision, and Predictive Analytics.
• B.Sc. Cybersecurity: Focus on Defensive Security, Ethical Hacking, and Digital Forensics.
• B.Sc. Software Engineering: Specializations in Enterprise Systems, Full-Stack Development, and Cloud-Native Applications.
• B.Sc. Information Technology: Specializations in Cloud Architecture, MLOps, and AI Infrastructure.

B. School of Business & Management

• B.Sc. Business Administration: Specializations in Human Capital Development or Corporate Finance & Taxation.
• B.Sc. Business Information Technology: Specializations in IT Project Management or Data Analytics & Business Intelligence.
• B.Sc. Entrepreneurship: Specializations in Technology Entrepreneurship or Social Entrepreneurship.
• B.Sc. Public Administration: Specializations in Digital Governance & Sustainable Development or Security Governance.

Admissions Philosophy & Requirements

We view admissions as a partnership. Our process is designed to identify applicants who demonstrate clarity of purpose.

• Statement of Purpose: All applicants must submit a 500-750 word statement articulating their motivation, preparation, and career goals.
• Digital Readiness: To ensure success in our ICT-enabled blended learning model, all students must pass a Digital Skills Test. Applicants with limited skills will be required to complete our free preparatory course, “Learning in the Digital Age,” before enrollment.

Method of Application

Interested candidates are advised to visit the University Portal at www.aouniversity.edu.ng to complete their application.

Media Contact:
Public Relations Unit
American Open University (A-Global), Nigeria
Email: info@aouniversity.edu.ng
Phone: +234 700 700 3888