Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to promote digital innovation and technopreneurship by Ehizua Hub and Igbinedion University, Okada, an IUO Hub has been established to close the digital divide.

By giving all students access to affordable, high-quality education, Igbinedion Hub will foster technological innovation and entrepreneurship while bridging the financial and digital divides.

The partnership’s flagship hub will debut in the first quarter of 2023 on Airport Road, Benin City, Edo State.

The hub’s features include a cutting-edge virtual studio, smart classroom, coworking space, game room, multimedia studio and a sizable indoor lobby with exquisite design.

Speaking on the innovative hub, the Vice Chancellor of IUO, Professor Lawrence Ezemonye, described it as a platform for students to develop their innovative skills.

Ezemonye said, “We are using this as a platform for our students to grow into innovators where their ideas will become patented products.”

As previously announced by the duo, the partnership will expand on Ehizua Hub’s existing collaboration with Torrens University, Australia, to provide students with the option of studying online, receiving upskilling from Igbinedion Hub, financing their education with a Sterling Bank EdPay loan, and continuing their education on any of Torrens campus in Australia.

In addition to facilitating university admissions, scholarships and online programme support, Igbinedion Hub provides Ehizua Hub and IUO micro-credentials as well as industry-recognised certificates for upskilling.

Participants are also empowered through the Job Assist Programme, Innovation Support Programme and Corporate Venture Capital.

The Hub propels the university’s mission to remain relevant to local, regional and international needs.

With the development, IUO becomes the first private university in Sub-Saharan Africa to drive innovation and digital technopreneurship to meet the growing demand for creative tech talent in the gig economy and the future of work.

Ehizua Matthias, the Managing Director/Founder of Ehizua Hub, said, “Students can come and do two months short courses in software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, cinematography, photography and video editing. We have several offers, and, in addition, we provide co-working space for students.”

The Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Prof Lawrence Ezemonye, disclosed this after a meeting with the management of Ehizua Hub at the university’s main campus in Okada.

According to Ezemonye, the strategic partnership is a bold step towards positively changing the trajectory of private tertiary education in Nigeria.

The VC disclosed that the transnational educational programme would include research collaborations, joint application for grants, exchange programmes, provision of relevant Information Technology softwares to enhance teaching and learning as well as international partnerships.

Ehizua Hub is a social enterprise providing equal access to affordable and quality education, while IUO, Nigeria’s premier private university, is a member of the Global University Network.

The partnership, which led to the establishment of Igbinedion Hub, is expected to foster innovation and entrepreneurship through the establishment of education and creative tech hub, education financing and enhance graduate outcome.

In view of the strategic partnership, Ehizua will facilitate partnership with Torrens University, Australia, and other international universities for exchange programmes, credit articulation transfer programmes, joint academic and research programmes.

Igbinedion Hubwill drive the university’s vision of remaining relevance to national and global needs.

It will also facilitate university admissions and scholarship, online programme support and empower participants through a skills-based training, job assist programme, innovation support programme and Corporate Venture Capital.

Other activities of the hub will include provision of access to industry-relevant software, creative technology, relevant industry-tailored internship and creative space for ideation, pre-incubation to incubation.

Matthias Ehizua, the Chief Executive Officer of Ehizua Hub, said, “The partnership will leverage Ehizua Hub’s existing partnership with Torrens University, Australia,to offer students the opportunity to study online from Igbinedion Hubat Airport Road, Benin City and Okada, Edo State, and have the option of financing their studies with Sterling Bank EdPay loan and continue their studies in any Torrens University campus in Australia.”

Home to over 19,000 students from over 117 countries, Torrens has quickly become Australia’s fastest-growing university and boasts a credible industry immersive difference, with 91 per cent of its students kick-starting their vocation within 12 months of graduation.

The parties disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

“Sterling Bank has integrated Ehizua Hub to EdPay via its Edubanc platform to allow the bank to provide services, including credit facilities and other value-added services. As part of the agreement, the bank will underwrite students’ loans to fund Ehizuahub courses listed on EdPay.

“Students onboarded by Ehizua Hub will access flexible 12-month loan from Sterling Bank to fund creative technology programmes as well as online and on-campus studies with Torrens University, Australia,” the statement reads.

Matthias Ehizua, the Founding Chief Executive Officer of Ehizua Hub, said, “The partnership with Sterling Bank represents our commitment to leveraging technology and strategic partnerships to provide affordable and flexible education loan products that generate significant social returns to students.”

Obinna Ukachukwu, Sterling Bank‘s Divisional Head, Health and Education, commented, “Sterling Bank is positively impacting and growing the education sector in Nigeria and has developed Edubanc, a digital banking platform that addresses the needs and challenges of tuition fee payments by making Edpay, an education loan product, available to Ehizua Hub Students and Parents.”

According to the statement, Ehizua Hub and Sterling Bank focus on profitability through positive social impact, responsible lending practice and net financial outcome for students.

“EdPay loans attract an interest rate of 19.75 per cent yearly and credit insurance of one per cent. Additionally, students will receive 70 per cent scholarship for online studies with Torrens University and up to 30 per cent scholarship on campus study in Australia, providing a net zero interest on Sterling Bank loan to students.

“Ehizua Hub will also facilitate admissions and scholarships to Torrens University Australia,” it explained.

The Senior Vice President International of Torrens University, Mark Falvo, was quoted as saying, “Our commitment with Ehizua Hub to facilitate admissions and scholarships for students to Torrens University Australia is driven by our pledge to fundamentally be good. This simple but powerful ethos affirms our commitment to champion the power of education to connect Africa for good. It is embedded in support for our students.”

The Advisory Board Chair of Ehizua Hub, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, lauded the partnership as a direct commitment of Sterling Bank and Ehizua Hub to create access to quality Australian education.

She added, ” Students will be enrolled as Torrens University Australia students and receive online lectures and support from Torrens University Australia Success Coaches and have the option to continue their studies in any of Torrens University campuses in Australia.

“Students, parents or third parties can apply for up to N5m yearly loan for tuition fee, subject to Sterling Bank’s lending criteria. To learn more, visit here.”