MIVA Open University is betting on technology, innovation and flexible learning to reshape the way higher education is delivered in Nigeria, with the institution positioning digital tools at the heart of its academic and operational model.

Speaking at a media parley in Abuja on Wednesday, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Tayo Arulogun, said the institution was established to respond to the changing needs of students and the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy.

Arulogun said Miva’s approach was built around the use of technology to make university education more accessible, flexible and responsive to the realities of today’s learners, particularly young Nigerians seeking to combine education with work and other commitments.

According to him, the traditional model of university education is being challenged by technological changes, evolving workplace requirements and the growing demand for skills that can translate directly into employment and entrepreneurship.

He said Miva was therefore focusing on creating a learning environment where technology was not merely an additional tool but an integral part of teaching, learning, assessment and student engagement.

“We are looking at how we can use technology to solve some of the challenges confronting higher education in Nigeria. Technology gives us the opportunity to reach more people, provide flexibility and create learning experiences that are relevant to the needs of today’s students,” he said.

According to him, the university’s model goes beyond simply putting lectures online, stressing that technology must be deliberately integrated into the entire learning process.

He said, “For us at MIVA, technology is not an add-on. It is embedded in the way we teach, the way students learn, the way we assess them and the way we engage with them. We are trying to rethink what university education should look like in the digital age.”

Arulogun said the changing nature of work also meant that universities could no longer rely solely on traditional approaches to education, noting that graduates needed skills that could make them productive in a rapidly changing economy.

He added that Miva was focused on developing programmes and learning experiences that would equip students with relevant knowledge and practical competencies.

Also speaking, the Chief Academic Officer, Udochi Obiukwu, said the university was paying attention to the quality and relevance of its academic programmes, stressing that students needed more than certificates to thrive in an increasingly competitive economy.

She said Miva’s academic model was designed to combine rigorous university education with practical skills and exposure to emerging areas of the digital economy.

The Registrar, Lovlyn Okonkwo, said the institution was also leveraging technology to simplify administrative processes and improve students’ experience, from admission and registration to communication and access to academic services.

According to her, the objective was to reduce some of the bureaucratic barriers traditionally associated with university education while ensuring that students could interact with the institution seamlessly through digital platforms.

The Chief Operating Officer, Aniekeme Umoh, said Miva’s technology-driven model also extended beyond the classroom, with the institution deploying digital systems to support its operations and improve efficiency.

He said the university was building an ecosystem in which technology would enable students, lecturers and administrators to interact more effectively, regardless of their physical location.

Similarly, the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Paul Ehiagbonare, said innovation remained central to the institution’s vision, noting that technology was changing not only how students learn but also what they need to learn.

Ehiagbonare said the institution was exploring emerging technologies and digital solutions to improve learning outcomes, enhance engagement and prepare students for a labour market increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, automation and other technological developments.

The Miva leadership maintained that the future of higher education would require institutions to move beyond the traditional classroom model and embrace approaches that are more flexible, technology-enabled and closely aligned with the needs of students and employers.

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