{{Use Nigerian English|date = May 2026}} {{Short description|Private university in Obong Ntak, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria}} {{Infobox university |name=Obong University |image= |caption=One of the facilities at Obong University |location =Obong Ntak, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria |affiliation=Churches of Christ |website = {{URL|http://www.obonguniversity.edu.ng}} }} '''Obong University''' is a private university located in Obong Ntak, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It is associated with the Churches of Christ, and its sponsoring congregation is the Rivergate Church of Christ in Madison, Tennessee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Obong University Nigeria |url=https://www.campus.africa/university/obong-university/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=campus.africa |language=en-US}}</ref>
Founded in 1997 as '''African College of Management''', the following year gave rise to the '''University of Africa''', as Obong University was formerly known. The university is in close fellowship with Obong Christian School (founded 1986), which is sponsored by the congregation of Christians at Mt. Morris, Michigan. The Christian school, also in Obong Ntak, has educated thousands of young people across Nigeria and surrounding countries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Isine |first=Ibanga |date=June 29, 2015 |title=Obong University in Akwa Ibom gets NUC approval for new courses |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/south-south-regional/185817-obong-university-in-akwa-ibom-gets-nuc-approval-for-new-courses.html?tztc=1 |access-date=2024-01-09 |newspaper=Premium Times}}</ref>
The schools are under the direction of Dr. Moses Akpanudo,<ref>[http://sites.silaspartners.com/CC/CDA/Content_Blocks/CC_Printer_Friendly_Version_Utility/1,,PTID25485 |CHID133744|CIID2042618|CPATHL0NDL2FydGljbGUvMCwsUFRJRDI1NDg1fENISUQxMzM3NDR8Q0lJRDIwNDI2MTgsMDAuaHRtbA==,00.html The Christian Chronicle<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> who, with the help of his Nigerian countrymen and American friends, worked to gain university status for Obong. This elevation was achieved on May 2, 2007.<ref>[http://www.nigeriafirst.org/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=1&num=7287&printer=1 FG licences eight new private varsities<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525042549/http://www.nigeriafirst.org/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=1&num=7287&printer=1 |date=2011-05-25 }}</ref>
Akwabia Hospital, originally a health care center for students and staff, opened on the university's campus in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.akwabiahospital.org/about |title=About Us |website=Akwabia Hospital |access-date=2026-02-10}}</ref>
==History== Obong University was established in 2007 in Obong Ntak, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The university was founded by the Churches of Christ as part of its mission to promote higher education grounded in Christian values and moral discipline.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Obong University |url=https://obonguniversity.edu.ng/about/ |publisher=Obong University |access-date=6 March 2026}}</ref>
The institution evolved from the Obong Christian School system which had previously served the educational needs of the surrounding communities. Following approval by the National Universities Commission, the university began admitting undergraduate students in several academic programmes in the late 2000s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Private Universities in Nigeria |url=https://www.nuc.edu.ng/nigerian-universities/private-universities/ |publisher=National Universities Commission |access-date=6 March 2026}}</ref>
Since its establishment, the university has gradually expanded its academic offerings, campus infrastructure, and student population while maintaining its commitment to faith-based education, discipline, and academic excellence. ==Administration and governance== The governance structure of Obong University is headed by the Chancellor, who serves as the ceremonial head of the institution. The university is owned and operated by the Churches of Christ. The Governing Council oversees institutional policy, financial management, and strategic direction of the university.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Obong University |url=https://obonguniversity.edu.ng/about/ |publisher=Obong University |access-date=6 March 2026}}</ref>
The day-to-day academic and administrative operations of the university are led by the Vice-Chancellor, who serves as the chief executive and academic officer. Over the years, the institution has had several vice-chancellors responsible for academic leadership and institutional development.
===List of Vice-Chancellors=== {| class="wikitable" |+ Vice-Chancellors of Obong University ! Vice-Chancellor !! Tenure |- | Prof. Ime N. Umanah || 2007–2012 |- | Prof. Moses E. Ekpenyong || 2012–2017 |- | Prof. David S. Udofia || 2017–2021 |- | Prof. Francisca Bassey || 2021–present |}
== Academic programs == {{columns-list|colwidth=20em| * Faculty of Allied Health Sciences **Nursing Science **Medical Laboratory Science * Faculty of Arts and Communications **Department of English **Department of Christian and Religious Studies **Department of Mass Communication * Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences **Computer Science **Biochemistry **Microbiology *School of Continuing Education **Accounting **Economics **English and Literary Studies * Faculty of Management Sciences **Accounting **Business Administration **Public Administration * Faculty of Social Sciences **Economics **International Relations **Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution **Political Science **Sociology and Social Work<ref>{{Cite web |title=Academic Programs |url=https://www.obonguniversity.edu.ng/academic.html |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=Obong University }}</ref> }}
==Affiliations and partnerships== Obong University maintains relationships with Christian higher education institutions and mission organizations that support its academic and spiritual development. These partnerships promote academic exchange, theological education, and institutional support for teaching and research.
The university also collaborates with international Christian educational institutions particularly in the United States for academic exchange and missionary support.<ref>{{cite web |title=History and Partnerships |url=https://obonguniversity.edu.ng/about/ |publisher=Obong University |access-date=6 March 2026}}</ref>
==Research and development== The university promotes research activities among its academic staff and students. Research areas include social development, environmental sustainability, public health, and entrepreneurship.
Faculty members regularly publish scholarly articles and participate in national and international academic conferences.
==Student life== Student life at Obong University reflects the institution’s Christian foundation and mission. The university encourages the development of students academically, socially, and spiritually.
Students participate in a variety of extracurricular activities including:
* student associations and clubs * sports competitions * cultural events * leadership development programmes
===Religious activities=== Because the university is owned by the Churches of Christ, religious activities form an important part of campus life. Students regularly participate in chapel services, Bible studies, and Christian fellowship programmes organized by the university community.
These activities are intended to foster moral discipline, leadership qualities, and community engagement among students.
==Rankings== In the 2025 EduRank university rankings, Obong University was ranked:
* '''119th''' in Nigeria * '''512th''' in Africa * '''9,502nd''' in the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Obong University Rankings |url=https://edurank.org/uni/obong-university/rankings/ |publisher=EduRank |access-date=6 March 2026}}</ref> ==Resources==
*School Library: Available *Scholarships: No *Sport Facilities: Yes *Housing: Yes<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.ng/education-news/obong-univeristy/|title=OBONG UNIVERSITY|date=23 July 2015|publisher=thenews.ng|work=Opemipo Adeniyi|access-date=30 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222011525/https://thenews.ng/education-news/obong-univeristy/|archive-date=22 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> *School Fees: Yes
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.obonguniversity.edu.ng/# Obong University Official Website]
{{Universities in Nigeria}} {{Christian universities in Africa}} {{authority control}}
Category:Universities and colleges affiliated with the Churches of Christ Category:Educational institutions established in 1997 Category:Christian universities and colleges in Nigeria Category:Education in Akwa Ibom State Category:1997 establishments in Nigeria