Once again, all roads led to the quiet town of Iyesi-Ota, Ogun state, as it came alive on January 12, 2026, for the maiden matriculation ceremony of Monarch University. It was a brief but impactful ceremony that left enduring memories in the minds of all those who attended the landmark event. They were witnesses to history being made. They were part of the beginning of a legacy that will certainly stand the test of time.
For those who may not know, Bishop (Dr.) Tom Samson is the founder of the prestigious Monarch University. This widely recognised and respected man of God is the presiding Bishop and General Overseer of Christ Royal Family International Church. Many will still recall that Bishop Tom Samson celebrated his 60th birthday with a lot of fanfare few weeks ago, precisely December 13, 2025, at the same Iyesi Ota, Ogun state at the auditorium of the Monarch University. It was indeed a two-in-one event as the occasion also marked the official launching of Monarch University, a citadel of learning that has been established to set the standards in the private sector arm of Nigeria’s educational system. It was indeed a remarkable day for the revered man of God as he attracted some of the most distinguished Nigerians from far and wide to celebrate the landmark moment with him.
Those who attended the event were totally surprised to find that Monarch is, by all available parameters, a university that meets all existing university standards. No doubt about it, Monarch University is a world class university that can compete with the very best in the land. It boasts of modern facilities that you may not find in some of the more established universities. It also offers an absolutely enabling environment suitable for learning and it parades some of the most experienced and accomplished lecturers and academics you can find anywhere in the country. This brand new citadel of learning called Monarch University is unique in many ways and the value it offers students can only best be experienced than described. One of Monarch University’s stand out features is that it not only aims to academically empower its students, it also seeks to transform them into self employed youths who will be enabled to impact society the very minute they graduate from the university.
City People investigation revealed that there has been a big rush for admission to the school. And that’s not a surprise in itself. Those who know Bishop Tom Samson closely know he is a stickler for quality and standard. He does not do things in half measure, he is a firm adherent to the saying that, ‘whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well.’ Monarch is simply magnificent both in terms of its skilled personnel and the pleasant ambience of the institution. This is the reason why many parents are now taking their kids to Monarch University, confident that the man of God will not compromise on quality, he will certainly bring in trained, qualified and competent personnel to the institution to nurture the students and transform them into men and women of substance. And from the brilliance of the Vice Chancellor of Monarch University, Prof. Mrs. Mopelola Omoegu, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olaleke Ogunnaike, the Registrar, Michael Uwakwe, Rev. Eugene Wamelieze, the school’s Chaplain, and other top Executives of the institution, there is no doubt that Bishop (Dr.) Tom Samson has assembled the best hands to run the university.
The maiden matriculation ceremony of Monarch University held inside the auditorium of the institution, was as colourful as it was historic. The matriculating students were all looking bright and beautiful in their sparkling blue convocation gowns. And for a new university matriculating its first set of students, many were pleasantly astonished to find that Monarch already has lots of students to take off with, a clear evidence of the trust and confidence the parents have in Bishop (Dr) Tom Samson to establish a university that will meet acceptable global standards and empower the students with deserving qualifications that will equip them to become men and women of substance in the coming years. And the students all looked very confident to face the future knowing they are within an educational environment that will support their academic growth and equip them with all that they need to succeed.
The Vice Chancellor of Monarch University, Prof. Mrs. Mopelola Omoegu, in her speech, assured parents, guardians and the students that they have made the right choice choosing Monarch University. She expressed confidence in the preparedness of Monarch to bring the best out of the matriculating students and transform them into outstanding youths by the time they graduate from the institution.
The revered academic also articulately emphasised the importance of education and why it remains the surest way out of poverty. She illustrated the various kinds of education open to everyone and how Monarch University is sufficiently equipped to guide their students through and ensure they come out confident enough to compete with their contemporaries at the very top. She also announced that Monarch University will also begin to run within the coming months, an Adult Education Programme that will also be handled by professionals and help the older people in the society who are still desirous of quality education achieve their goals.
Bishop Tom Samson, the Chancellor and founder of Monarch University, also emphasised the preparedness of the institution to produce some of the best graduating students in the county in the next few years. He spoke to journalists at the event:
How do you feel about today, sir?
I feel fulfilled, grateful and thankful. Its being a dream come true.
What is the next step, now that you have achieved all you set out to do?
University is an amazing and great vision and we are building on it. By the grace of God, we’re going to increase our faculties. University is a vision that can make a nation and this is just the beginning. We are just three months and look at the number of students and the great facilities that we have here. We’re increasing the facilities, we’re building on it. We’re making more impact. By the grace of God, from this university, we can begin to impact the community. We are believing in God that more factories will come in.
For example, here, to serve the university, we have printing press, we have water factory, we have bakery, we have lots of facilities here. And we’re going to do more. We plan to go into agriculture, producing food, offering employment, because we’re looking at entrepreneurship. We want all our students to be self employed, so we have so much to do. University is a vision, it’s like running a nation and we’re set for it.
By the grace of God, we’re going to run a special programme for adults by professionals and we’re starting this year. While the university is running, the adult education is running also. We have the facilities. We have the professionals. We will run professional programmes like ICAN because we intend to go into partnership with other professional bodies. We are already talking to some professional bankers to come and begin to teach here.
How do you see the university in the next two, three years?
It’s going to be amazing. I’m a visionary man. Like I said, the university is to impact the community and Nigeria has great youths. One of our presidents called Nigerian youths lazy youths and we want to address that. Like I said during my speech moments ago, we want all the youths here to be self employed. So, these are the programmes we’re putting together. And those who were not opportuned to go to university before now, we’re coming up with a specialised programme that can bring them in, nurture them and empower them.
How do some of the educational policies in Nigeria affect Monarch University being a new institution?
You see, no matter what it is, the fact remains that we are the players. I know the government wishes well for our education. For example, look at it, we are going to adapt with these policies in such a way that our children will be self employed. That’s what Nigeria needs now. So, when you go to a school like Monarch, it does not mean that unless you have been employed by an employer of labour you cannot work. So, at Monarch University, we have structured it in such a way that our graduates can be self employed.
How affordable is the university, sir, and what way would you like government to come in and support private universities like yours?
You see, we have made it so simple that parents can pay instalmentally. And we have made our fees so affordable. Remember, all our lecturers, both in private, state and federal universities, they go to the same market. No matter how you see it, education is expensive. The lecturer goes to the same market with the rest of us. But because I’m a visionary man, as much as possible, I have invested so much in the university. The focus has not been on what comes in financially, but to make the fees affordable and easy for the parents to cope with.
The Registrar, Michael Uwakwe, also had a few words with the press. He explained why Monarch University is unique.
“Well, the university, as you know, is a faith based university. The emphasis is on academic excellence and spiritual development. That is where we anchor the programme and activities of this university. So, we want our students to not only be people who are academically empowered but we also want them to be people who are spiritually empowered. People who can go out and make impact in the society. People who can go out and make the difference. People who can go out and distinguish themselves, that is what we stand for in Monarch university.
On what the university is doing to forestall incidents of insecurity and bullying, the Registrar responded:
“If you listened very well to the Chancellor when he spoke, he said we do not tolerate bullying at Monarch University. We do not tolerate fighting. In this university, our emphasis is on discipline. We want to make sure that our students are very well disciplined. Our students are those who are well trained, those who are academically empowered. Any student that is disposed to bullying, any student that is known to enjoy making life uncomfortable to others will not be handled with kid gloves. That is our goal and emphasis here.”
 Tom Samson's Monarch University Holds Colourful Maiden Matriculation Ceremony){kind=link}
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