Pan-Atlantic University, PAU, is 20 years old.
Located on the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos, the University was licensed to operate as a non-residential private university on the 12th of February 2002 and it was then known as Pan-African University. PAU commenced undergraduate programmes in 2014.
The starting point of Pan-Atlantic University was the establishment of the Lagos Business School, LBS, in 1992. Today, PAU is made up of not just the Lagos Business School, but includes the School of Media and Communication, SMC, School of Management and Social Sciences, SMSS, School of Science and Technology, SST, Institute of Humanities, Enterprise Development Centre, EDC, and Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, YSMA.
The institution has come a long way and it has become a reference point for others in its category, with every professional angling for a qualification in business, management or communications, with a lot of prestige attached to it. Many of the students and alumni have made their mark in different fields, building connections and taking centre stage globally.
According to the management, the vision of the founders of the University was to establish a citadel of learning that will form competent and committed professionals and encourage them to serve with personal initiative and social responsibility in the community in which they work, thereby helping to build a better society in Nigeria and Africa at large.
In addition to fulfilling this vision, PAU is known as a centre of excellence, offering world-class university education and making contributions to Nigeria and Africa at Large.
In the pursuit of this vision, the Board of Trustees of the Pan-Atlantic University Foundation late last year announced the appointment of Prof. Enase Okonedo, as the new Vice-Chancellor of the University. Her tenure officially began on January 1, 2022 and she took over from Prof. Juan Elegido, who has been credited with pioneering exemplary leadership and achievements recorded in the first years of the institution. Professor Okonedo, who was previously the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University, had previously served as the Dean of Lagos Business School.
Prof. Okonedo joined LBS as a research associate in 1995, following a stint in the banking and financial sector. She went on to become a full-time faculty member at the school, specializing in Finance, Problem-solving and Decision making. She also held various leadership positions before being appointed dean of LBS in July 2009, a position she held until December 2020.
The new VC has promised that over the next five years, the university will be focused on five key pillars – teaching and learning; research; people and culture; infrastructure; and community engagement which I believe are critical in achieving our mission.
The Mission Statement of the University is, “To form competent and committed professionals and encourage them to serve with personal initiative and social responsibility, the community in which they work, thereby helping to build a better society in Nigeria and Africa at large.”
PAU has a well-earned reputation, locally and internationally, as an institution that provides world-class education, with focus on entrepreneurship that enables students to team up with others in implementing innovative business ideas. The curriculum in the University is also developed in close collaboration with industry leaders and professional bodies.
In this way, PAU contributes to national development through the provision of academic programmes that are relevant to the needs of the country. The university is open to all people regardless of their nationality, race, sex, religion, or ethnic group. The curricular activities of the University are part of a wider all-round formation which is provided in the University.
Apart from Professor Okonedo as Vice-Chancellor, some key officers of the University are the Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia, the Registrar, Mr. Kingsley Ukaoha, the Dean, Lagos Business School is Prof. Chris Ogbechie, while the Dean, School of Media & Communication is Dr. Mike Okolo.
Other top shots include the Director, Enterprise Development Centre, Mr. Peter Bamkole, Dean, School of Management and Social Sciences, Dr. Sola Oni, Dean, School of Science and Technology, Dr Darlington Agholor, Director, Institute of Humanities, Mrs. Ify Awagu, the Director, University Relations & Development is Mr. Franklin Wiggle, the Bursar is Mr. Donatus Ikechukwu Ogbuike, Director, Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Arts is Dr. Jess Castellote while the Librarian is Mrs. Nonye Okechukwu.
