The historic ceremony, held over the weekend, marked the university's first graduating class and underscored the growing acceptance of online and flexible learning models in Nigeria's higher education landscape.
The graduating cohort comprised 241 undergraduate students and 1,039 postgraduate students, reflecting the increasing demand for accessible and flexible academic programmes among working professionals, entrepreneurs and adult learners seeking to advance their education without interrupting their careers.
Speaking at the convocation, Vice-Chancellor of Miva Open University, Tayo Arulogun, described the event as a defining moment not only for the institution but also for the broader movement toward democratizing access to quality education across Africa.
“Miva Open University was built on a simple yet profound conviction: to prepare people for opportunity and improve society through education.
“We refuse to accept that high-quality tertiary education should be a scarce commodity limited by geography, infrastructure, or circumstance,” Arulogun said.
He noted that the university's mission extends beyond awarding degrees, revealing ambitious plans aimed at expanding educational opportunities and equipping learners with future-ready skills.
According to him, Miva has already secured scholarship commitments worth N3 billion and is investing heavily in emerging technologies, including robotics, drone technology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence-powered learning systems.
The vice-chancellor further disclosed that the institution is gradually evolving into a research-focused university with a long-term vision of empowering one million Africans through education by 2030.
The Federal Government also commended the institution's innovative learning model, describing it as a reflection of the transformation needed within the education sector.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said universities must adapt to a rapidly changing world shaped by technology and artificial intelligence.
“The world is changing rapidly.
“Artificial intelligence is redefining industries. Digital technologies are transforming economies, and the future workplace is evolving at an unprecedented speed; and in such a world, universities must also evolve,” the minister said.
Alausa described Miva Open University as a blueprint for the future of education, noting that flexible learning systems would play a central role in expanding educational access across developing nations.
“It represents the democratization of knowledge, educational access at scale, flexibility without compromising quality, and most importantly, it represents the future of what education will look like a century from now,” he added.
Founder and Chancellor of Miva Open University, Sim Shagaya, paid tribute to the resilience and determination demonstrated by the graduating students, many of whom balanced academic pursuits with demanding careers, businesses and family responsibilities.
“Many of you sitting here today are working adults. You are mothers and fathers who, despite holding down a full day's work, chose to open a laptop to study at 10 p.m.
“There were nights when you wondered whether any of it was real, whether a degree earned online at a young Nigerian university would be respected. You doubted yourself, but you did not quit,” Shagaya emphasised.
He stressed that the graduating class has become living proof that online education can deliver quality outcomes while breaking down barriers that have historically prevented millions from accessing higher education.
According to him, technology-enabled education offers a practical pathway to bridge Africa's education gap, especially in regions where traditional infrastructure remains inadequate.
Delivering the keynote address, Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, argued that Nigeria's greatest asset is not its natural resources but its people.
“We are a nation of extraordinary human capital sitting on decades of unrealised potential.
“You are educated. You are connected. You are comfortable with technology, with change, with the idea that the old way of doing things is not the only way. That combination is rare, and it is precisely what Nigeria needs at this moment,” Sanusi said.
The respected traditional ruler praised Miva's open learning model and reiterated that quality education should never be determined by geography, economic status or personal circumstances.
“Miva Open University is an argument; you, this graduating class, are the proof of that argument,” he noted.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, also congratulated the graduates and described the university's first convocation as a landmark achievement.
The governor reaffirmed the state's commitment to supporting educational institutions that promote innovation, digital literacy and workforce development.
“Lagos State remains committed to supporting institutions that expand access to education and develop the skilled workforce required for the digital economy,” he said.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the recognition of Michael Ibie, who emerged as the university's overall best graduating student after achieving a perfect 5.0 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).
Reflecting on his academic journey, Ibie credited the university's flexible learning structure for enabling him to excel academically while fulfilling other personal and professional obligations.
“This achievement is proof that excellence is possible when opportunity meets determination.
“Miva gave me the platform to learn at my own pace while maintaining the highest academic standards. The journey was demanding, but it taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of continuous learning,” Ibie said.
He urged fellow graduates to embrace lifelong learning, stressing that adaptability would remain essential in an increasingly technology-driven world.
“The world is changing rapidly, and the ability to keep learning will be one of the most valuable skills anyone can possess. We must continue to adapt, innovate, and contribute positively to society,” he said.
The convocation ceremony highlighted the growing credibility of online education in Nigeria and reflected a broader shift toward digital learning models designed to meet the needs of modern learners.
As Miva Open University pursues its ambitious target of reaching one million learners by 2030, education stakeholders believe its maiden graduating class could be remembered as pioneers of a new era in African higher education—one where quality learning is no longer restricted by physical classrooms, geographical boundaries or traditional limitations.