By ebosele@hotmail.com
The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri has achieved a major milestone with the official issuance of an operational licence for Maria Assumpta University, Owerri, by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
City Business News reports that the licence, presented on July 24, 2026, authorises the institution to commence full academic activities after successfully completing a rigorous multi-year approval process.
The journey to establishing the university began on July 26, 2023, when the Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius I. Ugorji, accompanied by members of the university’s technical committee, submitted a formal Letter of Intent to the NUC Secretary in Abuja.
Since then, the Archdiocese has undertaken extensive preparations to meet the Commission’s regulatory requirements.
These included multiple verification visits by NUC officials to inspect the proposed campuses, physical infrastructure, academic plans, and administrative structures to ensure compliance with national standards.
With the issuance of the operational licence, the NUC has confirmed that the university’s facilities, academic framework, and governance structures are fully prepared for take-off, paving the way for the admission of its pioneer students and the commencement of academic programmes.
The establishment of Maria Assumpta University is regarded as one of Archbishop Ugorji’s landmark initiatives aimed at providing quality higher education while preserving the religious, moral, and cultural values of students. The institution is expected to nurture graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation needed to compete globally.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri described the approval as a testament to its commitment to educational excellence and its resolve to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s human capital development through faith-based, globally competitive education.
