The University of Benin (UNIBEN) is a

public In public relations and communication science, publics are groups of individual people, and the public (a.k.a. the general public) is the totality of such groupings. This is a different concept to the sociology, sociological concept of the ''Öf ...

research university A research university or a research-intensive university is a university that is committed to research as a central part of its mission. They are "the key sites of Knowledge production modes, knowledge production", along with "intergenerational ...

located in

Benin City, Edo State Benin City serves as the capital and largest metropolitan centre of Edo State, situated in southern Nigeria. It ranks as the fourth-most populous city in Nigeria, according to the 2006 national census, preceded by Lagos, Kano, and Ibada ...

, Nigeria. It is among the

universities A university () is an educational institution, institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase , which roughly ...

owned by the

Federal Government of Nigeria The federal government of Nigeria is composed of three distinct branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial, whose powers are vested and bestowed upon by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. One of the primary f ...

and was founded in 1970. The school currently has two campuses with fifteen faculties including a central library called the John Harris Library. The buildings in UNIBEN are sparsely built, they are not close to each other. UNIBEN has a teaching hospital called the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

History

Faculty-of-Management-Science-University-of-Benin

The University of Benin was established in 1970, initially starting as an Institute of Technology. It was officially recognized as a full-fledged university and accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on 1 July 1971. On 1 April 1975, the university became a federal government-owned institution.

John Harris Library

The John Harris Library is an

academic library An academic library is a library that is attached to a higher education institution, which supports the curriculum and the research of the university faculty and students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are an es ...

of the University of Benin. Itis named after a pioneer University

librarian A librarian is a person who professionally works managing information. Librarians' common activities include providing access to information, conducting research, creating and managing information systems, creating, leading, and evaluating educat ...

, John Harris. The parent

institution An institution is a humanly devised structure of rules and norms that shape and constrain social behavior. All definitions of institutions generally entail that there is a level of persistence and continuity. Laws, rules, social conventions and ...

of the library is the University of Benin which was founded in 1970 and formerly called the Institute of Technology. The library, which holds large volumes of collections in print and non-print format, is situated directly opposite the clinical Student Hostel, popularly called 'Medical Hostel', within the university

premises Premises are land and buildings together considered as a property. This usage arose from property owners finding the word in their title deeds, where it originally correctly meant "the aforementioned; what this document is about", from Latin '' ...

. The books acquired and shelves in the library cover all courses being offered at the university. It is headed by a

university librarian An academic library is a library that is attached to a higher education institution, which supports the curriculum and the research of the university faculty and students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are an es ...

who oversees its affairs. The John Harris Library was established through the promulgation of the Institute of Technology edict of 1970 but was accorded the status of a university by the National University Commission (NUC) on 1 July 1971. Branch libraries * Faculty of Arts Library * Faculty of Environmental Science Library * Faculty of Law Library * Faculty of Pharmacy Library * Faculty of Agriculture Library * Faculty of Education Library * Faculty of Engineering Library * College of Medical Sciences Library * Faculty of Physical Sciences Library * Faculty of Management Sciences Library * Faculty of Life Sciences Library * Faculty of Social Sciences Library * Medical Sub-Library (UBTH)

College of Medical Sciences

The UNIBEN College of Medical Sciences teaches medicine and awards a professional degree to physicians and surgeons. The College of Medical Sciences is made up of three schools and an institute, namely:

School of Medicine

The School of Medicine was established in 1973, then the

Faculty of Medicine A medical school is a tertiary educational institution, professional school, or forms a part of such an institution, that teaches medicine, and awards a professional degree for physicians. Such medical degrees include the Bachelor of Medicine, ...

to Medicine, to run a six-year

Bachelor A bachelor is a man who is not and never has been married.Bachelors are, in Pitt & al.'s phrasing, "men who live independently, outside of their parents' home and other institutional settings, who are neither married nor cohabitating". (). Etymo ...

Medicine Medicine is the science and Praxis (process), practice of caring for patients, managing the Medical diagnosis, diagnosis, prognosis, Preventive medicine, prevention, therapy, treatment, Palliative care, palliation of their injury or disease, ...

and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) full-time degree program. The pioneer dean of the school was Professor T. Belo-Osagie. He was dean from 1973 to 1975. With the exit of Professor T. Belo-Osagie, Professor K. Diete-Koki became the dean of the school. Since then, the school has had various deans and heads of departments. The immediate past dean of the school was Prof. Dr. (med.) E. Oviasu, while the present dean is Professor Wilson E. Sadoh.

School of Basic Medical Science

The School of Basic Medical Science was established in December 2003, by the College of Medical Sciences and was finally launched in January 2004. The school undertakes undergraduate programs for B.Sc. In addition, the school provides services for other schools within the college: Schools of Medicine and Dentistry as well as other faculties in the university: Sciences, and School of Pharmacy. The School of Basic Medical Science has the following seven departments: *

Anatomy Anatomy () is the branch of morphology concerned with the study of the internal structure of organisms and their parts. Anatomy is a branch of natural science that deals with the structural organization of living things. It is an old scien ...

* Medical Biochemistry * Medical Laboratory Science * Nursing Science *

Physiology Physiology (; ) is the science, scientific study of function (biology), functions and mechanism (biology), mechanisms in a life, living system. As a branches of science, subdiscipline of biology, physiology focuses on how organisms, organ syst ...

Physiotherapy Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is a healthcare profession, as well as the care provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through patient education, physical intervention, disease preventio ...

Radiography Radiography is an imaging technology, imaging technique using X-rays, gamma rays, or similar ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation to view the internal form of an object. Applications of radiography include medical ("diagnostic" radiog ...

and Radiation Science.

School of Dentistry

The School of

Dentistry Dentistry, also known as dental medicine and oral medicine, is the branch of medicine focused on the Human tooth, teeth, gums, and Human mouth, mouth. It consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, management, and treatment of diseases, dis ...

coordinates courses and

curricula In education, a curriculum (; : curriculums or curricula ) is the totality of student experiences that occur in an educational process. The term often refers specifically to a planned sequence of instruction, or to a view of the student's experi ...

within the

College A college (Latin: ''collegium'') may be a tertiary educational institution (sometimes awarding degrees), part of a collegiate university, an institution offering vocational education, a further education institution, or a secondary sc ...

leading to the award of a Bachelor of

Dental Surgery Dentistry, also known as dental medicine and oral medicine, is the branch of medicine focused on the teeth, gums, and mouth. It consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, management, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions o ...

(BDS) degree. The School of Dentistry, as it was known then, was established in 1976 and the first batch of students was admitted in the 1976/77 academic session. It was established as an integral part of the College of Medical Sciences in 1975 by an amendment to the Edict establishing the University of Benin. In 2012, with support from the International Federation of

Endodontic Endodontics () is the dental specialty concerned with the study and treatment of the dental pulp. Overview Endodontics encompasses the study (practice) of the basic and clinical sciences of normal dental pulp, the etiology, diagnosis, prevent ...

Associations (IFEA), donations from the

University of Texas The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public research university in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 1883, it is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. With 53,082 students as of fall 2 ...

at Houston School of Dentistry, and the Owen family, Dr. Mbachan Collins Okwen BDS. (Benin), DDS., MBA. introduced regenerative

endodontics Endodontics () is the Specialty (dentistry), dental specialty concerned with the study and treatment of the dental pulp. Overview Endodontics encompasses the study (practice) of the basic and clinical sciences of normal dental pulp, the etiolo ...

and modern microscopic endodontics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

Faculties in the University of Benin

Vice chancellors

* Kenneth Robson Hill, pioneer vice chancellor * T.M. Yesufu, the first indigenous vice chancellor * Adamu Baike, 2nd indigenous vice chancellor *

Grace Alele-Williams Grace Alele-Williams (16 December 1932 – 25 March 2022) was a Nigerian professor of mathematics education, who made history as the first Nigerian woman to receive a doctorate, and the first Nigerian female vice-chancellor at the University ...

, Nigeria's first female vice chancellor, served from 1985 to 1991 *Andrew Onokheroraye *Abhulimen Richard Anao *Emmanuel Nwanze * Osayuki Godwin Oshodin, 2009–2014 *Faraday Osasere Orumwense, 2014–2019 * Lilian Salami, 2019–2024 * Edoba Omoregie, 2024-to date

Notable alumni

Enyinnaya Abaribe Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe (born 1 March 1955) is a Nigerian politician who has served as the senator representing Abia South senatorial district since 2007. He previously served as deputy governor of Abia State from 1999 until his resignation ...

, politician from Abia State * Oladipo Agboluaje, actor * Emmanuel Agwoje, banker *

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede FCIB, (born 24 September 1966) is a Nigerian businessman, banker, investor and philanthropist. He was the former group managing director (GMD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Access Bank Plc. He is the founder and ...

, co-founder, Access Bank Plc; founder and chairman, Africa Initiative for Governance * Winifred Akpani, businesswoman, founder/CEO of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited *

Josephine Anenih Iyom Josephine Anenih (born 6 July 1948) is a Nigerian politician who was appointed Minister of Women Affairs on 6 April 2010, when Acting President Goodluck Jonathan announced his new cabinet. Biography Born in Sokoto (city), Sokoto in 1948, s ...

, lawyer and former minister * Helen Asemota, professor of biochemistry and biotechnology * Lota Chukwu, actress * George Edozie, artist * Abiodun Falodun, rector,

Edo State Polytechnic Edo State Polytechnic Usen is a higher institution of learning located in Usen people, Usen community of Ovia South-West, Ovia South West local government area of Edo State, Nigeria. It was formerly known as Edo State Institute of Technology an ...

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, former Lagos State governor, served two terms, 2007–2015; former minister of Power, Work & Housing in Nigeria *

James Ibori James Onanefe Ibori (born 4 August 1959) is a Nigerian politician who was Governor of Delta State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. An ethnic Urhobo by descent, Ibori is a member of the people’s Democratic Party(PDP). He is a leade ...

, governor of Delta State 1999–2007 *

Tom Ilube Thomas Segun Ilube ( ; born July 1963) is a British entrepreneur and educational philanthropist and former chair of the Rugby Football Union making him the first black chair of a major sport in England. He is the Chair of The King’s Trust in ...

, founder and CEO, Crossword Cybersecurity * Wellington Jighere, 2015 WESPA ''

Scrabble ''Scrabble'' is a word game in which two to four players score points by placing tiles, each bearing a single letter, onto a Board game, game board divided into a 15×15 grid of squares. The tiles must form words that, in crossword fashion, re ...

'' champion *

Kwate David Cross Idukomose (born 2 August 1982), known professionally as Kwate, is a Nigerian hip-hop artist and Afrobeats musician. He is recognized for his singles and musical style, which blends traditional and modern elements. Kwate emphasizes co ...

, Nigerian singer-songwriter * Patience Maseli, first female deputy director of Upstream Division at the

Department of Petroleum Resources Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, formerly the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), is a department under the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (FMPR). It monitors the oil and gas industry to ensure compliance ...

Richard Mofe-Damijo Richard Evans Mofe-Damijo (born 6 July 1961), popularly known as RMD, is a foremost Nigerian actor, writer, producer, lawyer, and former journalist. He was also a Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State in 2009. In 2005, he won the ...

, Nollywood actor * Darlington Obaseki, medical doctor and professor * Gideon Obhakhan, former Commissioner for Education,

Edo State Edo State, Edo, officially known as Edo State, is a States of Nigeria, state in the South South, South-South Geopolitical zones of Nigeria, geopolitical zone of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As of 2024, the state was ranked as the List of Ni ...

, Nigeria *

Omoni Oboli Omoni Oboli (born 22 April 1978) is a Nigerian actress, scriptwriter, film director, producer and digital filmmaker. She studied at the New York Film Academy and has written several screenplays, including The Figurine (2009), ''Anchor Baby (fil ...

, Nigerian actress, film director and producer * Loretta Ogboro-Okor * Cairo Godson Ojougboh, politician * Bright Okpocha ("Basketmouth"), comedian *

Suyi Davies Okungbowa Suyi Davies Okungbowa (born Osasuyi Okungbowa in 1989) is a Nigerian fantasy, science fiction and speculative writer and academic. His debut novel, ''David Mogo'', ''Godhunter'' was published in July 2019. He has also written works for younger ...

, author and scholar *

Ovie Omo-Agege Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege (born 3 August 1963) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as the Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate from 2019 to 2023. He was the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District from 2015 to 2023. ...

, senator in the Nigerian eighth senate * Chike Onuorah, artist and painter *

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, writer and professor * Victor F. Peretomode, academic and professor * Benedict Peters, founder of Aiteo group * Amaju Pinnick, president of

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, scientist and professor *

Emmanuel Uduaghan Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan (born 22 October 1954) is a retired Nigerian politician and doctor who served as Governor of Delta State from 2007 to 2015. He assumed office via an inconclusive election on 29 May 2007 and was a member of the Peop ...

, former governor,

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, singer

Notable faculty

* Alexander Oppenheim (1973–1977), mathematician

Awards

* Africa Outstanding University of the Year Award, 2023

Photo gallery

File:University of Benin front view.jpg File:Faculty of Education, University of Benin.jpg, Faculty of Education File:Faculty of Law, University of Benin.jpg, Faculty of Law File:Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin.jpg, Faculty of Pharmacy File:University of Benin Main Gate 02, Benin City, Edo State.jpg, Main gate File:University of Benin, Gate Entrance, University of Benin, Edo State.jpg, Gate entrance File:St. Albert Catholic Church main gate, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State.jpg, St. Albert Catholic Church File:Erastus B.O. Akingbola Hostel, University of Benin, Edo State.jpg, Erastus B.O. Akingbola Hostel File:Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Benin, Edo State.jpg, Faculty of Environmental Sciences File:Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Benin, Edo State.jpg, Faculty of Management Sciences File:Centre for Research, Innovation and Development, University of Benin, Edo State.jpg, Centre for Research, Innovation and Development File:Department of Quantity Surveying 03, University of Benin, Edo State.jpg, Department of Quantity Surveying

References

External links

* {{Authority control Universities and colleges in Nigeria Universities and colleges established in 1970 University of Benin 1970 establishments in Nigeria Public universities in Nigeria