Benson Idahosa University

Benson Idahosa University (BIU) is a private, Christian university in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.^[1][2][3] 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 evangelical beliefs.^{[4][citation needed]} He was the first president of the university. The current president of Benson Idahosa University, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Faith Emmanuel Benson Idahosa,^[5] son of Benson Idahosa, is the Bishop of CGMi Faith Arena and Co-ordinator, Next Generation Leadership of the Church of God Mission.^[6][7]

Benson Idahosa University

BIU
Type	Private
Established	February 2002
Affiliation	Church of God Mission International (CGMi)
Chancellor	Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa OON
Vice-Chancellor	Prof. John Aroye Okhuoya
Location	Benin , Edo State , Nigeria 6°20′N 5°38′E
Campus	Urban, Multiples sites
Colors	Royal blue, gold and white
Website	biu.edu.ng

Benson Idahosa University

BIU is accredited by Nigeria's higher education accreditation body, the National Universities Commission (NUC). 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 Nigerian Private Universities Games, Nigerian Universities Games and West African Universities Games.^[8][9]

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."^[10]

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, Benin City and Edo State University, Ekpoma (now Ambrose Alli University, Edo State).^[11][12]

The head of management was referred to as the rector. The rector was Prof. Uche Gbenedio. With support from Mike Okagbare, the 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.^[13]

The university received the required license to operate as a private university in Nigeria from the National Universities Commission in February 2002.^[14]

The university's fourth faculty is the Faculty of Law, which currently has provisional accreditation from the Council of Legal Education.^[15]

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.^[16]

In June 2025, the National Universities Commission (NUC) granted full accreditation to eleven programmes and interim accreditation to two programmes at Benson Idahosa University, following its October/November 2024 accreditation exercise. Notable programmes that received full accreditation include Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Law, Mass Communication, and Agriculture, alongside several Basic Sciences courses (Biochemistry, Microbiology, Industrial Chemistry, Computer Science). Business Administration and Accounting received interim accreditation. These results were announced by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sam Guobadia.^[17]

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^[18]

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.^[19]

Uti Nwachukwu (winner, Big Brother Africa 5: All Stars), B.Sc Ed Computer Education 2009

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]}

Year	Convocation lecturer	Honorary doctorate awardee
2004		Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa – Letters
2005	Prof. Grace Alele-Williams
2007	Prof. Grace Alele-Williams	Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa – Letters
2008	Donald Duke
2009	Chief (Mrs.) Elizabeth Adegbite	Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui Okauru – Business Administration
2010	Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim
2011	Comrade Adams Oshiomhole	Chief (Mrs.) Stella Okoli – Business Administration Maj. Gen. Godwin Abbe – Public Administration Com. Adams Oshiomhole – Political Science
2012		Engr. Goddie Isibor – Business Administration Chief Lemon Ikpea – Business Administration Deacon Daniel Eghobamien – Business Administration
2013	Prof. Julius Ihonvbere
2014	Hon. Kingsley Kuku	Deacon Vincent Agenmonmen – Business Administration
2015	Chief Olusegun Obasanjo	Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – Divinity
2016	Prof. Sidi Osho
2017		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:

• Foluke Adeboye, author, televangelist
• Eghosa Asemota Agbonifo, entrepreneur, politician
• Blossom Chukwujekwu, Nollywood actor
• Uti Nwachukwu, TV presenter
• Sam Ochonma, business executive
• Real Warri Pikin, comedienne and actress

Association

Benson Idahosa University alumni ^[20] 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.