Wigwe University reflects founder’s vision a year after death

It is a universal truism that the power of a person’s life is reflective of the stories they leave behind.

Hence, Shannon Alder would say; “Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.”

Herbert Wigwe, the group managing director and CEO of Access Holdings Plc, was born on August 15, 1966, and sadly and suddenly departed the earth on February 9, 2024 in a helicopter crash in the United States is ever-green in many hearts.

Wigwe’s many legacies, among which Wigwe University echoes his visions, and humanity among others as a luminary and captain of industries.

The university officially launched operational activities by August 2024, and some eight months after the tragic death of its founder, it formally opened its doors to its first set of students on Thursday, October 17, 2024, marking the fulfillment of late Herbert Wigwe’s dream to build a world-class citadel of learning in his community in the coastal jungle of southern Nigeria.

Wigwe University which is situated in Isiokpo in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State offers a diverse range of programmes across four major colleges, including the College of Management and Social Sciences, the College of Art, the College of Science and Computing, and the College of Engineering.

The university is built on the founder’s vision of a shared future; “The world needs the problem solvers, torch bearers and game changers that will form part of our community of learning.

“They will create sustainable solutions for our planet and people. They will have the most conducive environment to do this and attain their highest potential.”

Read also: Herbert Wigwe: One year after

“We embody Nigeria’s resilience, fearless culture, values, her entrepreneurial spirit. We are the African spirit of strength in numbers, teamwork, and collaboration. We symbolise and express the irrepressible human spirit of design thinking. We strive for sustainability and a shared prosperous future for all,” it adds.

It has taken the unmitigated resilience, grueling hard work, and absolute determination of the seven-member board of trustees and nine-member governing council, together with the goodwill of Herbert’s friends to bring this very noble dream into fruition.

Speaking about the university, at the opening event, Marwan Al-Akaidi, the acting vice-chancellor of the university said;

“This is not just the beginning of an institution; it is the realisation of a profound vision, a dream from the belief that education is the key to unlocking Africa’s vast potential,”

Al-Akaidi reiterated that the university is founded by the principles set forth by the late Herbert Wigwe “whose legacy inspires us to ignite Africa’s potential for prosperity, to nurture thoughtful and fearless leaders, and to create an institution that will one day be the leading institution in Africa.”

Julius Okojie, Nigeria’s foremost university administrator, and former secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) put it more succinctly in his speech: “I was the executive secretary of NUC for 10 years, and during this time, I licensed 80 private universities. None of them started well like Wigwe University.

“While many of them commenced temporarily on the premises of secondary schools, Wigwe University is starting on a world-class purpose-built site.”

Okojie traced the history of university education to the pre-medieval era and emphasised its importance in national development. “Today, I can hear the voice of Herbert Wigwe ringing through and I believe that his dream has come alive,” he said.

He further emphasised that Wigwe University by admitting over 200 students in its first year, has recorded unprecedented achievements. “Many new private universities I licensed commenced with less than 50 students, including Obasanjo’s Bells University,” he told me in a post-event interview.

The university’s website revealed that all its programmes are “delivered to an international standard, in collaboration with key international partners.

“Our approach puts us in touch with world-leading curricula, joint research, and international exchanges and internship programmes,” the websites stated.

“Wigwe University, with its innovative approach to higher education and strong commitment to research, community engagement, and academic excellence, is poised to shape Africa’s future as a leader in global education.

“The institution’s blend of home-based and foreign faculty members promises to instill a sense of purpose, foster creativity, and inspire a new generation of well-rounded fearless leaders who will make a significant impact on the world,” it added.

Further checks on the site showed that the cheapest college is Arts with a total fee of N9,600,00. Students in the College of Engineering, College of Management and Social Sciences, and College of Science and Computing pay approximately ₦12million each as fees.

The fees cover tuition, books, laboratory supplies and consumables, personal protective equipment, project lab resources, e-learning resources, and health insurance, among others.