Why we chose Ibadan for American Open University Global Campus — Founder
The President and Founder of American Open University (A-Global), Nigeria, Dr. David Seyi Akanbi, has explained that the institution chose Ibadan, Oyo State, as the location for its Global Campus because of the city’s strong academic heritage, strategic relevance and potential to drive a new technology-driven education model for Nigeria and Africa.
He spoke during the official launch of the university’s global campus in Ibadan, an event themed: ‘Future Forward,’ which drew academics, industry leaders, regulatory agencies and community stakeholders.
The launch marked what organisers described as the beginning of a disruptive higher education model, designed to bridge the widening gap between academic learning and workplace demands.
According to Akanbi, the university was created to challenge the traditional promise of education, which no longer guarantees employment.
“Visions don’t die. Even when the visioners pass on, the dream continues. Today, the dream has become reality,” he said.
He stressed that the institution is built on a hybrid learning model that blends digital education, industry collaboration and global exposure.
Akanbi noted that the traditional formula of going to school, earning good grades and automatically securing jobs is becoming obsolete, adding that the university aims to create a system that directly prepares students for global competitiveness.
He disclosed that partnerships with leading global technology firms including Microsoft, Google and Cisco would enable students to gain international-standard skills while studying in Nigeria.
In his keynote lecture titled “The Autarchic–Asymmetric Model for Nigerian Higher Education,” Professor Francis Egbokhare of the University of Ibadan said Nigeria’s education crisis is largely due to poor utilisation of available infrastructure and exclusion of existing talent.
“Infrastructure exists but is underused. Talent exists but is excluded,” he said,
He advocated a self-reliant, technology-driven education system that converts community spaces into learning hubs.
Stakeholders at the event commended the initiative. They include the JAMB Zonal Director in Ibadan, Mrs. Temitope Akintola, who lauded the institution’s focus on access and quality.
Also, Mr. Toyin Olatayo, Academic Director of UniTES CISCO Academy, listed the importance of embedding industry certifications into academic programmes.
Professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) also endorsed the university’s workforce-focused approach.
The launch featured a tour of the global campus and demonstration of hybrid learning platforms.
The university announced it has commenced admissions into NUC-approved undergraduate programmes in technology, business and public administration, with curricula integrated with artificial intelligence, data analytics and digital strategy.