By Elizabeth Osayande

The Vice Chancellor of James Hope  University, Prof. Olu Akinkugbe, has stated that the institution, established in 2021, is not merely focused on providing graduates in business education; rather, it aims to connect scalable skills with viable employment opportunities.

Akinkugbe made this declaration on Monday to journalists at the school premises 

The VC of James Hope University emphasised, “We didn’t start the University and James Hope Business School just to create another business school. In today’s world, Business education is entering a new phase: one driven by AI, digital ransformation, changing learner expectations, and growing need for practical, industry-driven experience and future-ready skilld, that is, ROI consideration by our learners of today.

They come here not to obtain mere certificates but to gain skills that will facilitate their employment. The world is shifting from a knowledge-based to a skills-based approach, one that emphasises immersive and experiential learning. That’s why we set up our school — to provide skills that lead to employability and a clear employment pipeline.”

Discussing the university’s relevance, he added, “What we are trying to build is a unique model within the Nigerian education landscape. We aim to position ourselves above peers in terms of the delivery of reaching and learning.

We are also establishing partnerships with universities worldwide, including collaborations with institutions in Canada, USA, Southern African and Southeast Asia. Notably, we are planning to establish a Fintech training and trading Lab, in partnership with the University of Toronto and the University of Texas in Dallas”

On the niche of James Hope University, which currently offers MBA and postgraduate programs, the VC reiterated that, in addition to its affordability, the institution provides scholarships ranging from 50 per cent to 75 per cent, and even full tuition coverage.

Prospects for James Hope University

Prof. Akinkugbe outlined several future initiatives the school hopes to undertake, including the introduction of undergraduate programs, the establishment of a School of Computer and Robotics, and the launch of a specialised MBA programme.

Drawing on the Founder’s passion for innovation and technology, and recognising the inherent entrepreneurial spirit in Africans, he stated, “We aim to rekindle, build on, and rejuvenate this spirit; our goal is to train leaders from the outset.

“The next phase involves introducing a new type of MBA program that focuses on skills development. Similar to how medical doctors undertake residency, we plan to implement a comparable model: one year in school followed by nine months of residency focused on industry-experience — not just paper certificates, but real-world skills. Our curriculum will also include courses in computer studies, AI, and robotics, as well as Employment Relations and Human Resources Management.

While the School of Computing and Robotics may start next year, our community-based undergraduate programs in Agriculture and/or Health Science are targeted for launch by 2028/2029.