NUC Approves New Postgraduate Programmes for Iconic Open University

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted approval to Iconic Open University, a private tertiary institution based in Sokoto, to commence a new suite of postgraduate programmes, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s advancement in open and distance learning.

This was announced in a statement issued on Sunday by the Registrar of the university, Dr. Muhammad Sanusi, who described the approval as a major boost to Nigeria’s growing embrace of flexible, technology-driven education models.

According to Sanusi, the newly approved postgraduate programmes include a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Information Technology (MIT), and Postgraduate Diplomas in both Public Health and Information Technology.

Also receiving the NUC’s nod are the Master of International Relations and Diplomacy as well as the Master of Crime Management and Security Studies—programmes that Sanusi said were developed in response to increasing national and global demands for advanced expertise in areas of governance, security, and international affairs.

In addition to the postgraduate approvals, the NUC also authorised the commencement of two new undergraduate programmes at Iconic Open University: a Bachelor of Education in Educational Management (B.Ed.) and a Bachelor of Environmental Health Science (B.EHS). These additions reflect the institution’s strategic efforts to diversify its academic offerings and address critical gaps in Nigeria’s education and healthcare sectors.

“Iconic Open University has already positioned itself as one of the leading providers of open and distance education in Nigeria,” Sanusi noted, adding that the institution offers a wide range of programmes across health sciences, technology, management, and the humanities.

He emphasized that the NUC’s latest approval serves as a testament to the university’s compliance with rigorous academic and institutional standards. “The NUC’s approval underscores our commitment to delivering accessible, high-quality education and producing graduates who are ready to meet the complex demands of the modern workforce,” Sanusi said.

The Registrar encouraged prospective students to visit the university’s official website for further details on admissions and programme structures, stressing the university’s readiness to continue shaping future leaders through innovation-driven education.

The approval represents a further step in Nigeria’s broader educational reforms aimed at expanding access to quality higher education through open and distance learning frameworks.