Miva Open University

Miva Open University was established in 2023 by The uLesson Group, a Nigerian edtech company. Licensed by the Nigerian National Universities Commission, it offers distance learning online. 

Miva currently offers 19 undergraduate degrees, taught across five departments: computing; education; management and social sciences; communication and media studies; and allied health sciences. The university also runs eight postgraduate programmes.

Study materials, videos and lectures (with notes) are all online – as is the Miva library and virtual labs. Students are able to access prerecorded lectures asynchronously. 

However, Miva recognises that university life is about more than emerging with a degree at the end of a period of solo study. The university runs live lessons, small-group classes and breakout sessions, with the aim of helping students to collaborate and discuss topics with one another. Masterclasses allow students to receive real-time feedback and to interact with instructors and classmates. And instructors offer virtual office hours, where students can ask for help and advice. 

Meet-and-greet events allow students to meet their instructors – and one another – in person. But these are optional, rather than integral parts of the degree course. 

Miva provides study centres around Nigeria: in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Jos, Uyo, Abeokuta, Ibadan and Kaduna. These – as well as other partner and community centres – allow students to access study rooms, coworking spaces and venues for community events. The university also has a campus in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. Students are expected to sit exams in person at one of these centres.