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  • How PAU is grooming ethical leaders through academics, character

    How PAU is grooming ethical leaders through academics, character

    In a country where many universities struggle with overcrowded lecture halls, underfunded facilities, and graduates, who often require re-training before they can function in the workplace, Assistant News Editor PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU writes that the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) Lagos is quietly rewriting the script and bridging the gaps between the gown and town.

    Appraisals by ex-alumni

    When Channels TV’s Foreign Affairs Editor, Amarachi Ubani, was shortlisted for the MTN Nigeria sponsored Media Innovation Programme (MIP-4) at the School of Media and Communication (SMC), Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), she expected just another professional training.

    But in the past three months, Ubani has been struck by how deeply the university’s culture of discipline, professionalism, and structure is woven into its faculty, community, and environment.

    “This isn’t your regular classroom. You learn life-skills that prepare you for the real world. The sessions are so engaging you can spend hours without noticing.

    “Back in my state university days, overcrowded classrooms and lecturers reading from handouts were the norm. Here, you’re treated as a professional.

    “The coursework encourages interaction, critical thinking and collaboration. We do presentations, group work and lively debates on relevant issues.”

    Similarly, Deputy News Editor, Joseph Jibueze, who attended a week-long residential Solutions Journalism Masterclass for Editors at the university, was impressed with the environment, teaching methods and orderliness the school exudes.

    “The hostel was comfortable, with a gym that is not common in most universities. Classrooms were well-furnished and air-conditioned, lecturers were engaging and professional, and the meals were excellent.

    “The students were disciplined, punctual, and well-dressed. PAU’s ambience and experienced faculty, who blend theory with practice, make it one of the top private universities in Nigeria,” Jibueze said.

    For ThisDay Newspapers’ Group Features Editor, Chiemelie Ezeobi, her introduction to PAU during the MTN-sponsored Media Innovation Programme (MIP) last year was “the most enriching professional experience I have had.”

    “I call it the ‘gift that keeps giving’,” she said. “The lectures were delivered by seasoned academics and industry leaders, who taught from lived experience. My old assumptions were challenged and new ideas sparked. The curriculum balanced innovation and emerging media technologies with timeless lessons on ethics and leadership. It didn’t just improve my skills; it broadened my vision of what an impactful, responsible and future-ready media should be.”

    These accounts from senior journalists reflect a consistent truth: PAU has distinguished itself as a model of order, ethics, and practical learning in Nigeria’s higher education space.

    A calm haven with intense intellectual energy

    In a country where public universities often struggle with strikes, underfunding and overcrowding; and where many private institutions fall short in quality, PAU offers a compelling alternative.

    Nestled in the quiet outskirts of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, its terracotta buildings, manicured lawns, and thoughtfully planned spaces project dignity and calm. Beneath that serenity lays a rigorous intellectual culture that has earned PAU a reputation for producing ethical business leaders, innovators, and professionals.

    Founded in 2002, the university has expanded to offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Management and Social Sciences, Media and Communication, Computing and Data Sciences. But beyond academic offerings, it is PAU’s institutional culture, built on structure, standards and moral grounding that leave the strongest impression.

    Ambience meets functionality

    Stepping onto campus feels like entering a corporate retreat. Clean walkways, sculptures of cultural and religious significance, and modestly dressed students moving with purpose reflecting discipline and intentionality. The atmosphere is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

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    Classrooms are equipped with modern teaching aids, high-speed Wi-Fi, and ergonomic seating. Facilities include a well-stocked library with digital resources, innovation hubs, media production studios, and a chapel.

    Discipline is enforced without intimidation. Phones are banned during lectures, students may leave class only twice per session or be marked absent, and 80 per cent attendance is required for graduation.

    Teaching at PAU prioritises applied learning over rote instruction. Case studies, group projects, fieldwork and presentations push students to address real-world problems.

    “We’re trained to think, not just absorb information,” said one student during a tour of MTN’s base station in Lekki.

    “Every problem has a real-world angle. We debate, defend and test ideas. The learning is immersive.”

    Asked what distinguishes the school from other universities, Mrs. Chinenye Anuforo, a tech journalist with The Sun Newspapers, said PAU provides a well-rounded formation that combines professional excellence with strong values.

    “What stands out about PAU is its focus on building both competence and character. The school doesn’t just train students for jobs; it prepares them to become responsible leaders, who can make a positive impact in society.

    “One of the things that make PAU different from many other universities is its approach to learning. The classes are usually small, which gives room for close interaction between students and lecturers.

    “Another unique aspect is the emphasis on entrepreneurship. Every student is required to know about entrepreneurship. This practical experience, coupled with PAU’s close relationship with industry, means graduates are not only knowledgeable, but also work-ready.

    “In short, what distinguishes PAU is the balance between academic excellence, strong moral values, personal attention, and practical exposure. It’s a place where students are not just educated but formed for life,” added Anuforo.

    Dr. Peter Bankole, Director of the Enterprise Development Centre, summed it up: “Our goal is not just to produce graduates, but thinkers; people who question, understand the world, and want to change it.”

    PAU’s governance model mirrors its academic discipline. Its Board of Trustees includes respected figures from academia, business, and religion with strong guidance from Opus Dei, the Catholic institution that supports the university.

    Balancing access and excellence

    Like many private universities, PAU faces challenges. Tuition fees are high, limiting access for many qualified students. Scholarships and financial aid exist, but demand far exceeds supply.

    Its serene Ibeju-Lekki location, which is ideal for study, can make commuting difficult. On-campus accommodation eases the burden, and the university is expanding housing and transport options.

    Despite these hurdles, PAU continues to grow. New programmes in data science, artificial intelligence, computing and public policy are underway. International research collaborations are increasing and faculty development remains a priority.

    Looking ahead

    PAU is not without limitations. But, it offers a consistent model that gives equal weight to knowledge, ethics, and structure. In a system where many graduates leave school ill-prepared for the workplace, its philosophy of “formation” shaping character alongside intellect stands out.

    For professionals like Jibueze, Ezeobi, Anuforo and Ubani, the university’s influence extends far beyond the classroom, shaping how they think, work and lead.

    Perhaps that is PAU’s greatest achievement: producing competent/principled graduates and trainees, whose academic grounding is matched by moral integrity.

  • PAU gets exemption from 11 ICAN courses

    Graduates of the Pan-Atlantic University’s accounting programme have been exempted from 11 of the 16 courses to get certified by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

    This is because the Lagos-based private university has joined one of the few institutions with the ICAN Mutual Cooperation Agreement with Tertiary Institutions (MCATI) Scheme accreditation.

    The accreditation is the higher of two awarded by ICAN to tertiary institutions offering accounting.  The other is the Basic Accreditation which exempts graduates of the institutions with the accreditation from seven of the 16 courses to get certified.

    A statement on the university’s website noted that the ICAN-MCATI accreditation could help students of the university get exemptions from other international professional examinations as well.

    The statement reads in part: “Graduates of PAU’s Accounting Programme will now need to write only the final stage of accreditation exams of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). This is the import of a formal communication from the Registrar/Chief Executive of ICAN, Mr John I. Evbodaghe, notifying the University of the approval of the Mutual Cooperation Agreement with Tertiary Institutions (MCATI) Scheme between the University and ICAN by the body’s Governing Council.

    “Additionally, this accreditation is a license the students can leverage to gain subject exemptions when writing the professional examinations of ACCA (UK), ICAEW (England & Wales) and so many offshore accounting professional bodies who mostly rely on ICAN certification before granting subject exemptions to accounting graduates.”

    The formal signing ceremony of the agreement is expected in the coming weeks.

     

  • Why we funded PAU project, by FCMB chief

    Why we funded PAU project, by FCMB chief

    The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Ladi Balogun, has said the bank’s decision to donate a multi-purpose Students’ Centre to Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), was part of its strategies to invest in the future of the youth.

    He added that the gesture was also in line with the commitment of the bank to effectively support initiatives that would enhance the standard of education in the country and the well-being of the society.

    The FCMB Students’ Centre, located within the main campus of PAU at Ibeju-Lekki, along Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos, is a facility devoted to students’ recreation and socialisation.

    In addition, it will be an important avenue for informal learning, which is an integral part of the university’s life. The building features two main areas-a cafeteria on the ground floor and a mini-mall on the first floor. In the mini-mall are-a supermarket, a boutique, an agency banking service, a unisex hair salon, a laundry shop and a coffee shop.

    Speaking at the commissioning and hand-over ceremony of the centre at the weekend in Lagos, Mr. Balogun, said: “We felt the need to provide the students with a conducive environment that would facilitate learning, while at the same time serve as an avenue to socialise near their hostels through basic facilities for relaxation, shopping, retail and banking services.

    ‘’We will continue to invest in the future and by extension, Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.”

    According to him, Lagos Business School (which is part of PAU) is the highest-ranked business school in Nigeria. “We believe that in a few years from now, thousands of students would be in this institution. It is our desire to continually partner the university to provide facilities that would ensure effective teaching and learning to engender manpower development,’’ he said.

  • Lagos Business School and its programmes

    Success is a choice, not an obligation. Since that is the case, business-minded individuals need to make informed choices in their quest for management education. Business schools may be numerous, but experts observe that only a few actually fit the profile.
    The Financial Times of London contributes its two cents’ worth to quality control in management education. Every year, it publishes a list of some of the world’s best business institutions to guide prospective students’ choices. LBS has consistently featured in the ‘open enrolment education’ category of that list since 2007. More significantly, the school recently joined the FT’s ranking of top custom education providers; the first time it would be achieving the feat.
    Meanwhile, less than 5 percent of the world’s 13,000 business programmes are said to have earned the Association to Advance the Collegiate School of Business’ (AACSB) accreditation, touted as the highest achievement for business schools worldwide.
    Typically, AACSB-accredited schools have good faculty, a challenging curriculum, and provide educational and career opportunities unavailable at other business schools. LBS began the AACSB business accreditation process in 2006, and is working towards concluding the initial process successfully.
    Since 1991 when LBS started as a small institution offering management education in Lagos, it has consistently resonated with a mix of top executives and high-potential professionals interested in gaining useful management insights. The reason for this pull is abstract to some, while many others typically associate the school with prestige and high ethical standards. From LBS’ standpoint, however, three characteristics are responsible for the success stories recorded by some of its alumni. Sound knowledge is one, the right attitude another; and a solid network tops it off.
    Participants in LBS’ programmes always stand out, thanks to the School’s focus on providing sound knowledge that equips them to succeed in Africa and beyond. To achieve this, LBS employs the services of world-class local and international faculty to facilitate its MBA and Executive Education programmes. These academics are oftentimes expert sources for financial/business intelligence and thought leaders whose research works are published in international journals of repute.
    The School’s full-time MBA programme is designed to prepare managers to succeed in the increasingly complex global business environment. Small wonder, then, that participants in the programme are highly regarded both locally and internationally for the aptitude they display in their respective circles. Last year, former MBA student, Adebayo Alonge, emerged one of the finalists in the maiden Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. The Fellowship is the flagship programme of President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), which takes 500 young leaders to the US for academic coursework and leadership training. In the same year, Onyanta Adama, another MBA student, made the shortlist for the FT MBA Challenge with UK charity World Child Cancer. She joined five other students from Lagos and abroad to draft a plan on how Ghana could treat childhood cancer in a self-sustainable manner.
    But business education at LBS goes beyond building the intellect. After all, it takes a blend of knowledge and the right ethical attitude to produce the ideal business person or manager. Thus, in the course of their studies, participants also internalise the School’s values that set them apart in the real world such as integrity, professionalism, spirit of service, mutual respect and community. In a word, they are groomed to have the right ethical attitude towards business and management in a system dominated by sharp practices.
    After the programme, they join a solid network of over 5000 alumni whose expertise they can leverage in their quest to take their careers or businesses to the next level. Such launch pads have never been in short supply from the pool of participants in LBS’ executive programmes. Earlier this year, Paul Orajiaka (AMP 20) revamped a rundown school in Ikorodu, Lagos. He assured that the project was the first in a long line of CSR initiatives that would cut across the six geopolitical zones of the country in months to come. This was preceded by his interview with Forbes magazine for starting his doll manufacturing company, Auldon Limited, with a paltry $30, and making it a success story in the industry. Other positive change agents associated with LBS include Dr Christopher Kolade, Professor Pat Utomi, Pascal Dozie and governors, top executives/managers of multinationals and medium-to-large scale businesses too numerous to count.
    Every institution worthy of the name stands for something, and LBS is no exception. LBS stands for sound knowledge, the right attitude and a solid network. With a mix of these characteristics, it empowers managers to succeed in the fast-paced 21st century business environment defined by cut-throat competition.
    Jakpor is the Communications Officer, Lagos Business School

  • PAU inaugurates green building

    PAU inaugurates green building

    Those unfamiliar with what a green building looks like should take a trip to the Pan Atlantic University, PAU, Ajah on the outskirts of Lagos, where the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) just inaugurated one.

    The three-storey building which was completed in two years was designed to save energy by 40 per cent.

    The structure, which is located within the Lagos Business School (LBS) campus of the university in Ajah, was inaugurated by the Minister of Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga.

    Describing the building as a true example of environmental sustainable building in Nigeria and West Africa, the Director, EDC, Peter Bamkole said the centre invested heavily in alternative energy to power the building.

    He said: “The 2, 000 square metres EDC building, with three floors is significant in many ways.  The first is that this building is a green building.  As you walk into the main foyer of the building, there is an instant sense of light.  We harvest at least 12 hours of natural light every day. From the design stage we wanted to save at least 40 per cent of energy usage when compared with similar buildings in Nigeria, and across the continent so we invested heavily in alternate energy.

    “Embedded in the roof is 96 double length solar panel that produce enough energy to power all the street and perimeter lighting, all the access control, CCTV, internet, IP phones, the lighting in the main foyer, the general office and 50 per cent of the air conditioning in the general office.

    “Every floor is equipped with an online inverter system that carries other sensitive training equipment, from 5pm to 8pm every day, on weekends and indeed at off peak periods. We run only on clean energy.”

    Bamkole explained that the building, which was conceived about three years ago, was built by the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs of PAU. At the conception stage, he said he did not know what the building would look like.

    “The architect, Jeff walked into my office and said kindly describe the kind of building you want so that we can craft out how the building will look. It was very difficult because I was not used to crafting out the nature of a building, I could tell you what I wanted but that was a new one for me. After a lot of persuasion we settled for a smart green building that will have a recognisable character that will instantly energise all those that enter it.

    “…(A building) where learners and visitors will express freedom, transparency, flexibility, innovation and loads of light.  We wanted all the floors in the building to be visible and connected to one another. A sense of family between us and all those that we serve; we wanted their stay in the building to be, memorable and we wanted to leave a lasting impression on all those that enter the building,” he added.

    Bamkole said one of their entrepreneurs installed the motion sensors in all common areas, while two others also advised on how they can optimise their energy consumption in an energy report that they completed.

    In his speech, Aganga said he first learnt about the EDC while working with the Goldman Sachs, USA in 2010. He praised the centre’s effort to groom entrepreneurial leaders who will impact the society.

    “EDC has proven its commitment to facilitate access to market for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). With the establishment of this magnificent building, EDC is indeed an inspiration,” he said.

    On his part the Vice Chancellor, Prof Juan Elegido, said the EDC is the main vehicle through which the PAU endeavours to serve the immediate society in ways that go beyond teaching and research.

    He said that the impact has been truly significant as “they are already serving Nigerians.”