The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the elevation of the West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS), Lagos, to a degree-awarding institution to offer undergraduate programmes in Christian Religious Studies.

This follows the Association of Christian Theological Education (ACTEA), a continental body coordinating theological education on the continent, also accrediting the Seminary for theological training.

The Seminary also announced plans to host a three-day Discipleship Conference aimed at equipping church leaders and ministry workers with practical and biblical tools for effective discipleship.

Speaking on the development, the Provost, Pastor Olufemi Emmanuel, said the Seminary had pursued national recognition for decades and met the requirements for approval.

“For decades, WATS pursued this national recognition and met every rigorous requirement. While we remain grateful for our international and local partnerships, this NUC approval affirms our capacity to deliver world-class theological training and award degrees under Nigeria’s highest academic regulatory framework,” he said.

He further noted that the development marks a significant milestone in the seminary’s more than four decades of academic and ministry development, which also complements WATS’ existing academic affiliations with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Asbury Theological Seminary, USA.

Emmanuel also said that WATS, in addition to NUC’s nod, recently got accredited by the Association of Christian Theological Education (ACTEA). “Just last week, we received the good news of WATS’ full accreditation by the Association of Christian Theological Education (ACTEA).