ANALYSIS ON THE FOUR YEARS OF UNPRECEDENTED SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF NEWGATE UNIVERSITY MINNA.
BY YAKUBU MUSTAPHA BINA
Newgate University Minna is the first privately owned universities in Minna, the Niger State capital. The institution was established in 2022 by its Founder and Chairman of the Governing Council, Alhaji Hassan Nuhu, the Mayanan Minna, following approval by the Federal Government of Nigeria and licensing by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The university was founded with the vision of becoming a globally recognized institution distinguished by excellence in teaching, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and community service. Its mission is to produce competent, ethical, and entrepreneurial graduates equipped to address local, national, and global challenges through knowledge, innovation, and service to humanity.
Guided by its motto, “Explore to Excel,” Newgate University Minna has demonstrated a strong commitment to quality education and institutional excellence since its inception. This commitment has continued to drive its remarkable growth and development. Its vision is to be a globally recognized university distinguished by excellence in teaching, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and community service. While the mission is to produce competent, ethical, and entrepreneurial graduates who are equipped to address local, national, and global challenges through knowledge innovation and service to humanity.
Like other universities in Nigeria, admission into Newgate University Minna requires a minimum of five credit passes, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings in WAEC, NECO, GCE, or equivalent examinations. The university maintains a minimum JAMB cut-off mark of 150 for all programmes, including competitive courses such as Nursing, Law, and Medicine. Education they say is the key for development and the Newgate University Minna is on the track of of providing such standards of education to numerous Nigerians and humanity that deserve to be praised.
The university’s tuition fees vary according to programme and remain relatively moderate, considering the prevailing economic realities in Nigeria. Fees are structured on a semester basis, while accommodation and other campus-related charges are billed separately to ease the financial burden on parents and guardians.
Within just four years of operation, Newgate University Minna has recorded remarkable growth. From an initial enrollment of about 400 students across three faculties and 12 programmes, the university now boasts over 2,100 students enrolled in 14 undergraduate programmes. With ongoing admissions, student enrollment is expected to rise to approximately 2,500.
The institution has recently expanded significantly in staffing. Academic staff strength has grown from 50 to about 250, while non-academic staff now number about 300, providing essential support services. Following the approval of its Postgraduate School by the National Universities Commission, about 60 percent of the academic workforce are full-time staff, complemented by visiting professors from within and outside Nigeria through partnerships with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Lapai, and other international institutions.
One of the university’s major achievements is the successful completion of the NUC resource verification exercise, which assessed its manpower and facilities for proposed postgraduate programmes. This milestone reflects the institution’s commitment to quality assurance and continuous improvement.
As a result, Newgate University Minna recently received approval to commence 14 postgraduate programmes, supported by 16 local and international visiting professors. This achievement is particularly commendable, considering that the university attained postgraduate status barely four years after commencing academic activities.
The institution operates a robust academic exchange programme involving visiting professors from Nigeria, the United States, the United Kingdom, and several Eastern European countries. These collaborations support teaching, research, faculty development, and student exchange opportunities. In addition, the university has embraced a hybrid learning system that combines physical and online learning platforms to meet contemporary educational demands.
Another major milestone was the graduation of the university’s first set of students during its maiden convocation ceremony held on December third, 2025. A total of 207 students graduated, including 14 First Class graduates, 81 Second Class Upper graduates, 88 Second Class Lower graduates, and 24 Third Class graduates. The graduating class comprised 102 female and 105 male students.
Beyond academics, Newgate University Minna has maintained a clean, secure, and attractive learning environment. The institution operates an open-door policy that recognizes parents, students, and members of the host community as critical stakeholders in the educational process. Through its community development initiatives, the university has provided social amenities such as water supply, street lighting, health education programmes, and the renovation of schools and clinics. Notably, all cleaning personnel employed by the institution are drawn from the host community, creating employment opportunities and strengthening community relations.
The university also operates internal scholarship schemes initiated by its Founder and Pro-Chancellor, Alhaji Hassan Nuhu. Hundreds of students across various faculties and departments currently benefit from these scholarships. This underscores the need for private universities in Nigeria to be considered for access to TETFund and NELFund support mechanisms.
The Newgate brand extends beyond higher education. It includes Newgate Hospital, a growing centre for accessible and quality healthcare; Newgate Consults Nigeria Limited, a consortium specializing in construction, real estate development, and financial consultancy services; and the Minna Business School, established to nurture future entrepreneurs and leaders.
Like many institutions worldwide, inadequate funding remains a challenge. Nevertheless, the university’s management has demonstrated prudent resource management, resulting in consistent growth and infrastructural development since inception.
The management team deserves commendation for its strategic selection of faculties and programmes aligned with global trends and future workforce demands. Their focus remains on producing graduates who are job creators rather than job seekers.
The Founder and Chairman of the Governing Council, Alhaji Hassan Nuhu, has been widely described as a visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist with uncommon integrity, very religious, fear of God, education advocate, and development expert. As Chairman and Pro-Chancellor, he has played a pivotal role in transforming a single educational initiative into a group of thriving institutions dedicated to education, healthcare, business development, and community advancement.
Similarly, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Newgate University Minna, Professor Sadiq Yusuf, is recognized for his commitment to teamwork, consultation, innovation, inclusiveness, and effective leadership. His open-door policy has fostered collaboration and contributed significantly to the institution’s rapid progress. He deserve the honor for his patience, support, dedication, hardwork and encouragement in ensuring service delivery.
Although still a young institution, Newgate University Minna is building on a strong foundation of quality, innovation, integrity, and service. It deserves the support of all stakeholders as it continues to transform lives and contribute meaningfully to the development of Niger State, Nigeria, and the global community.
The future of Newgate University Minna is bright and promising. The institution has developed strategic plans to expand academic offerings, strengthen research activities, introduce additional professional programmes, establish specialized centres of excellence, deepen international collaborations, and increase its contributions to national and global development. Particular emphasis is being placed on health sciences, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and research aimed at addressing societal challenges.
In the long term, the university aspires to become a globally respected institution whose graduates and research outputs contribute significantly to sustainable development in Nigeria, Africa, and the wider world.
YAKUBU MUSTAPHA BINA is a Jjournalist and Public Affairs Analyst from Minna, Niger state
yamustibina@gmail.com
15th June, 2026.
