University in Nigeria
Okija, Anambra State
University profile
Madonna University, Nigeria is a private Catholic university founded in 1999 at Okija, Anambra State. It is described as the first private Catholic university in Nigeria and West Africa and holds both national and ecclesiastical status. The founder, Chancellor and Proprietor is Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Matthew Paul Edeh, OFR, who also founded OSSISATEC Polytechnic, OSSISATEC College of Education and Caritas University. The motto is Dignitas Scientiae et Moralis (Decency in Education and Morals), and the university is a member of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU).
Madonna operates three campuses: Elele (the main campus, Rivers State, at 1 Madonna University Road), Okija (Anambra State, the university's birthplace and a centre of tradition and administration) and Akpugo (Enugu State, focused on engineering and emerging sciences). Elele is the hub for clinical and professional training. Each campus has its own Deputy Vice-Chancellor office or administrative presence.
Academic units include the College of Medicine and the faculties of Pharmacy, Law, Engineering, Health Sciences, Basic Medical Science, Computing, Science, Management, Social Sciences, Education and Arts, and Communication and Media. Programmes span undergraduate degrees, postgraduate diplomas, master's and PhD study, plus Pre-Degree and JUPEB (Direct Entry to 200 Level) pathways. Undergraduate offerings in the academic catalogue include Accounting, Banking and Finance, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Law (LLB), Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Pharmacy (B.Pharm), Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Chemical Engineering, Architecture, Microbiology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, English, History and International Studies, Philosophy and Religious Studies.
Student life is organised through the Student Affairs department, which supports the Student Representative Council and student organisations, runs orientation for new students, and manages hostels. Madonna advertises a 100% boarding system with secure residence, and offers guidance and counselling, pastoral care, a Student Health Centre, a Philosophy Clinic, a sports complex (football, basketball and volleyball, with teams in inter-university leagues), a Central Library with access to digital archives and research databases, laboratories, lecture theatres and a cafeteria. A work-study programme lets students with financial need and a clean disciplinary record earn a monthly stipend working about 10-15 hours a week. Students also complete SIWES industrial training.
All undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are presented as accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC), and Law, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy courses are recognised by their respective professional regulatory bodies. Madonna is listed in the Edurank ranking of African universities (Top 500).
Awarded for outstanding academic performance, covering partial or full tuition.
Financial assistance for students from less-privileged backgrounds, in line with the founder's long-standing commitment to scholarships for less-privileged and handicapped students. Students enquire about aid when applying or at admission.
Students with a satisfactory CGPA, demonstrated financial need and a clean disciplinary record work about 10-15 hours a week during sessions (fewer during exams and breaks) and receive a monthly stipend that depends on the role. Apply through the Student Affairs office. See the scholarships and financial aid page and the work-study page.
Browse the scholarships listed for Madonna University, Okija and check each award’s eligibility.
View scholarships for Madonna University, Okija →Applicants must hold five credit passes in not more than two sittings, including English Language and Mathematics, plus three other subjects relevant to the course. Candidates awaiting SSCE results may apply if the results are available on resumption. JAMB UTME cut-off marks are 150 for general courses, and Law 190, Medicine 180, Nursing 170 and Pharmacy 160. WAEC, NECO and NABTEB results may be combined (two sittings) for all courses except Medicine and Surgery, which requires English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology in one sitting.
The one-session JUPEB programme (two semesters) leads to Direct Entry into 200 Level at Madonna and other universities. Entry requires at least five O-Level credits including English Language, in not more than two sittings. Subject combinations include GLR, EGL, EGM and CMP for Education and Arts; EGM, ELG, BEG and GLR for Social Science; EGM, BEG, AEG and ABG for Management Science; GLR and EGL for Law; CMP and BCP for Engineering and Technology; BCP and CMP for Medicine, Pharmacy and Science.
Apply online through the university application portal. Screening and admission forms are free. Selected candidates complete a medical examination and oral interview at the Admissions Office of their chosen campus. The medical test fee for fresh applicants for 2026/2027 is N30,000, paid by invoice (number beginning MNT) online via Quickteller or at any commercial bank through Interswitch PayDirect for Madonna University.
General conditions: credit passes in five relevant O-Level subjects including English Language in not more than two sittings; NYSC discharge, exemption or exclusion certificate; departmental requirements; official transcripts and three letters of reference sent to the School of Postgraduate Studies. PGD requires a first degree or equivalent (minimum 2 semesters, maximum 4). A master's requires at least a Second Class Honours degree (minimum 2 semesters). A PhD requires a master's with dissertation and an overall average of at least 60% (B) (minimum 6 semesters, maximum 8).
Facilities across the university include a Central Library with digital archives and research databases, laboratories (including the Central Laboratory and Biotechnology Centre), lecture theatres, IT infrastructure, a sports complex, a cafeteria, a Student Health Centre, guidance and counselling, pastoral care and a 100% boarding residence system.
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