By Emmanuel ELEBEKE

The Chancellor and Founder of European University of Nigeria Abuja, Nicholas Ukachukwu, has announced plans to establish a ₦50 billion endowment fund dedicated to research at the institution.

Ukachukwu disclosed this during the university’s maiden matriculation ceremony held in Abuja at the weekend, describing the initiative as a strategic move to position the university as a leading research hub in Nigeria, particularly in specialised areas of medicine and pharmacy.

According to him, the endowment fund will support groundbreaking research and innovation that will distinguish the university within Nigeria’s higher education sector in the coming years.

The ceremony marked a significant milestone for the institution as it formally admitted its pioneer students. Ukachukwu described the event as a historic moment for the university and the newly admitted students who constitute its first cohort.

He explained that the establishment of the university was motivated by the need to provide Nigerian students with access to affordable, world-class education within the country, thereby reducing the need for families to seek tertiary education opportunities abroad.

Ukachukwu noted that the university’s vision, “Educating the Whole You,” reflects its commitment to providing transformative education that develops students intellectually, morally and socially. He added that the institution aims to equip graduates with entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development and compete globally.
The founder also highlighted the leadership team assembled to run the institution, noting that both the Pro-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor are accomplished scientists, while the Registrar, Librarian and Bursar are experienced administrators. He said the academic staff were carefully selected to ensure the university delivers high-quality education.
Ukachukwu further pledged sustained financial and institutional support to ensure the steady growth and development of the university.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Charles Okechukwu, assured that the proposed ₦50 billion endowment fund would become a reality and would set the institution apart in research and innovation, particularly in medicine and the pharmaceutical sector.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Emmanuel C. Ibezim, urged the newly admitted students to uphold discipline, integrity and academic excellence throughout their stay at the university.
He described the matriculation ceremony as historic, noting that the students represent the pioneer set of the institution. According to him, admission into the university reflects the students’ resilience and potential, but their success will depend on how well they utilise the opportunities available to them.
Ibezim said the university is committed to producing graduates who are intellectually sound, ethically grounded, innovative and globally competitive. He therefore encouraged the students to pursue academic excellence, develop critical thinking skills and make effective use of the university’s laboratories, digital resources and academic staff.
The Vice-Chancellor also warned against misconduct, stressing that the university maintains zero tolerance for examination malpractice, cultism, harassment, drug abuse and other forms of indiscipline.
Beyond academics, he encouraged the students to participate in approved extracurricular activities, including sports, student organisations and leadership development programmes, to build confidence, teamwork and leadership skills.
Ibezim also thanked parents and guardians for entrusting the institution with the education of their children, assuring them that the university would nurture the students into responsible and productive citizens.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu,
represented at the ceremony, by Education Secretary, pledged the council’s support for the institution, including assistance in addressing revenue-related challenges.
The chairman also expressed willingness to collaborate with the university in creating an enabling environment for its operations through administrative support, partnerships and community engagement.
He further indicated interest in supporting educational access through potential scholarship opportunities for deserving students, while encouraging the pioneer students to take advantage of the opportunities before them and learn from the academic journeys of their professors.
The matriculation ceremony officially welcomed the first cohort of students into the European University of Nigeria Abuja, marking the beginning of academic activities at the institution.