By Joseph Erunke

Margaret Lawrence University, MLU, has recorded a major breakthrough in its drive to become a leading centre of academic excellence following the approval of key Engineering programmes by the National Universities Commission, NUC.

The approval, which clears the institution to commence full-time undergraduate Engineering courses from the 2026/2027 academic session, marks a significant milestone in the university’s expansion plans and strengthens its position in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving higher education landscape.

The newly approved programmes include Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Civil Engineering, all to be offered at the university’s main campus located along Ute-Ogbeje/Owerre-Olubor Road in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State.

The approval was conveyed in a letter dated May 12, 2026, titled “Re: Resource Assessment Visit to Some Proposed Academic Programmes,” and signed by Abubakar M. Girei, Director of Academic Planning, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu.

According to the Commission, the approval followed a comprehensive resource verification exercise conducted by a panel of experts to assess the adequacy of the university’s human and material resources for the proposed programmes.

“I am directed to inform the Vice-Chancellor that the Executive Secretary has considered and approved the establishment of the full-time mode of the following programmes to be run in the Main Campus of the University with effect from the 2026/2027 academic session,” the NUC stated.

The Commission, however, clarified that the approval applies strictly to full-time programmes and does not extend to part-time studies, noting that any future plans for part-time delivery would require additional regulatory clearance.

In another development, the university has also expanded its academic offerings at its Abuja campus with the establishment of a Faculty of Management and Social Sciences.

The faculty will offer degree programmes in Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Mass Communication, International Relations, Public Administration, Sociology, Economics, and Taxation.

Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, described the approvals as a landmark achievement that underscores the institution’s commitment to producing globally competitive graduates and contributing meaningfully to national development.

He said the university’s latest academic expansion reflects its vision of building a world-class institution equipped to meet the demands of modern society, particularly in critical sectors such as engineering, technology, management and public policy.

University authorities noted that the Engineering Faculty would operate with a modern, industry-driven curriculum designed in consultation with professionals and stakeholders in the engineering sector to ensure graduates are equipped with relevant practical and technical skills.

The institution also pledged to maintain the highest standards of teaching, research and innovation in line with NUC regulations and international best practices.

Describing the NUC approval as a vote of confidence in the university’s infrastructure, manpower and academic vision, MLU said it is fully prepared to admit its first set of Engineering students in the coming academic session.

The university added that the development represents a defining moment in its history and reinforces its ambition to nurture future innovators, entrepreneurs, problem-solvers and industry leaders capable of driving Nigeria’s technological and economic transformation.

With the latest approvals, Margaret Lawrence University is positioning itself as an emerging force in higher education, expanding opportunities for students seeking quality training in engineering, management and the social sciences while contributing to the country’s quest for sustainable development.