James Hope University has received a National Universities Commission accreditation team at its Lekki, Lagos campus, as the Institution seeks approval for three new postgraduate programmes in FinTech and Analytics; Innovation, Intrapreneurship and Entrepreneurship; and Economic Development and Policy Analysis.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olu Akinkugbe, expressed confidence in securing approval, telling the visiting team that the University had the necessary facilities and academic resources in place.

"We are hopeful of 99% acceptance by the NUC accreditation team. We have the resources and facilities," he stated.

Akinkugbe described the programmes as part of deliberate efforts to close skills gaps in Nigeria's education sector, noting that the institution was positioned as a skills driven Postgraduate University focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.

"They don't come here because they want pieces of paper that we call certificates. The world is moving from knowledge based to skills based learning, immersive and experiential learning. That is why we set up our school, skills to employability, skills to employment pipeline," he said.

The vice chancellor noted that the University formally commenced academic activities in 2023 after obtaining its licence in April 2021, beginning with MBA programmes before expanding into specialised master's degrees in 2024. The Institution has since graduated its first MBA set, with another batch expected to complete studies this year alongside pioneer students in the specialised Master's Programmes.

Akinkugbe also disclosed plans to establish a School of Computing and Robotics, with programmes in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Computer Studies, and Human Resource Management expected to commence next year. The University is additionally pursuing international partnerships with the University of Toronto and the University of Texas for the development of a FilmTech Laboratory.

Looking further ahead, the Vice Chancellor revealed that the institution intends to launch Undergraduate Programmes by 2028 at its Agbor, Delta State campus, with an initial focus on Agriculture and Health Sciences.

University Registrar Dr Achugamonu Uzoma, in a letter read ahead of the NUC visit, described the accreditation exercise as a significant milestone in the Institution's continued growth as a transformative postgraduate institution.