The University of Benin (UNIBEN) is a public research university located in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It is one of the universities owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and was founded in 1970. The school currently has two campuses with fifteen faculties and 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).
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History
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.
Grace Alele-Williams was appointed vice-chancellor of the university in 1985, making her the first female vice-chancellor of any Nigerian university.
John Harris Library
The John Harris Library is an academic library of the University of Benin. It is named after a pioneer University librarian, John Harris. The parent institution 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. The books acquired and shelves in the library cover all courses being offered at the university. It is headed by a university librarian 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
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 to Medicine, to run a six-year Bachelor of Medicine 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. After his exit, 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
Medical Biochemistry
Medical Laboratory Science
Nursing Science
Physiology
Physiotherapy
Radiography and Radiation Science.
School of Dentistry
The School of Dentistry coordinates courses and curricula within the College leading to the award of a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (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 Associations (IFEA), donations from the University of Texas at Houston School of Dentistry, and the Owen family, Dr. Mbachan Collins Okwen introduced regenerative endodontics and modern microscopic endodontics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
Vice chancellors
Kenneth Robson Hill, pioneer vice chancellor
T.M. Yesufu, the first indigenous vice chancellor
Adamu Baikie, second indigenous vice chancellor
Grace Alele-Williams, 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 academics
Grace Alele-Williams
Grace Alele-Williams was a Nigerian professor of mathematics education, who made history as the first Nigerian woman to receive a doctorate, and the first female vice-chancellor at any Nigerian university, at University of Benin.
Notable alumni
Enyinnaya Abaribe, politician from Abia State
Oladipo Agboluaje, actor
Emmanuel Agwoje, banker
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, 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, lawyer and former minister
Fidelis Anosike
Helen Asemota, professor of biochemistry and biotechnology
Lota Chukwu, actress
George Edozie, artist
Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)
Abiodun Falodun, rector, Edo State Polytechnic
Babatunde Fashola, former Lagos State governor, served two terms, 2007–2015; former minister of Power, Work & Housing in Nigeria
James Ibori, governor of Delta State 1999–2007
Tom Ilube, founder and CEO, Crossword Cybersecurity
Wellington Jighere, 2015 WESPA Scrabble champion
Kwate, Nigerian singer-songwriter
Patience Maseli, first female deputy director of Upstream Division at the Department of Petroleum Resources
Notable faculty
Alexander Oppenheim (1973–1977), mathematician
Awards
Africa Outstanding University of the Year Award, 2023