The Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM) has officially rolled out its first STEM‑focused undergraduate and master’s degree programs at its Apapa campus in Lagos, marking a pivotal second chapter in its evolution as a leading African tech education hub.
Founded in 2019 with a vision to educate future leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and management, NUTM received formal approval from Nigeria’s National Universities Commission (NUC) in late 2023 to initiate full bachelor’s and master’s degree offerings.
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From 2019 Vision to 2024 Rollout
The university’s founding mission—to cultivate tech‑entrepreneurial leaders for Africa and beyond—initially led to its launch in 2020 of the NUTM Scholars Program (NSP), a one‑year postgraduate interdisciplinary course covering Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Design. Though NSP closed in 2024, it served as a powerful pilot incubating NUTM’s pedagogical approach: blending academic rigour with real‑world project work, global faculty, and experiential learning.
Following formal NUC accreditation in November 2023, NUTM secured a license to commence full degree programs in Computing and related STEM fields, paving the way for its inaugural undergraduate intake in September 2024.
Undergraduate Degrees
Since September 2024, NUTM’s Faculty of Computing & Science has welcomed its first class of bachelor’s students at the temporary site in Apapa, Lagos. The programme offerings include:
- Computer Science (B.Sc.): Covering programming, algorithms, systems design, software engineering, and practical applications in emerging technologies.
- Cybersecurity (B.Sc.): Focuses include threat mitigation, digital forensics, secure systems design, and real‑world case studies in banking, infrastructure, and healthcare.
- Information Technology (B.Sc.): Trains students in infrastructure management, business IT operations, enterprise systems administration, and user support frameworks.
NUTM incorporates entrepreneurship capstones, critical thinking modules, and industry placements into its undergraduate curriculum, positioning graduates to be career‑ready from day one.
On January 11, 2025, the university held its first-ever matriculation ceremony, further marking the formal inauguration of its full degree programme era.
Master’s Programmes: High‑Impact, Industry‑Driven
Simultaneously, NUTM has launched master’s degree courses aimed at equipping professionals and mid-career graduates with advanced technical and managerial expertise. Current offerings include:
- M.Sc. Data Science: with analytics, machine learning, AI methodologies, and data-driven decision-making frameworks.
- M.Sc. Software Engineering: emphasising scalable software architecture, DevOps best practices, and product delivery.
- M.B.A. / M.Sc. Business Administration: integrating management leadership, digital transformation strategy, and tech‑business convergence.
These postgraduate offerings reflect NUTM’s philosophy of industry‑integrated learning, aided by global faculty collaborations—spanning partners such as Oxford University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and IIT Madras—to deliver a curriculum aligned with global standards and local relevance.
Executive Education & Professional Short Courses
Beyond full degrees, NUTM also runs Executive Education programs tailored for professionals seeking high‑impact upskilling in:
- Artificial Intelligence (for strategic and business applications),
- Business Analytics (leveraging data to optimise performance),
- Design Thinking (human-centred problem solving),
- Leadership Excellence (organisational change, team-driven innovation)
These short-format programs emphasise practical relevance, networking with industry leaders, and immediate applicability.
Campus, Faculty & Strategic Growth
Originally operating from Landmark Boulevard, Lagos, NUTM relocated to a temporary Apapa campus in early 2025; plans remain underway to construct a permanent campus in Ogun State by 2030.
Under the leadership of President Babs Omotowa and academic figures such as Dr. Nubi Achebo, the university seeks to become “the MIT of Africa,” with ambitious enrollment targets of 10,000 on‑campus students and 500,000 digital learners by 2030.
NUTM’s global faculty includes experts from top-tier institutions like Stanford, MIT, Princeton, Cambridge, Oxford, and IIT Madras, as well as local industry leaders, providing a rich cross‑cultural learning environment.
Why STEM in Lagos Matters
Lagos is Africa’s largest city and tech hub, home to thriving fintech, startup ecosystems, and innovation clusters. NUTM’s location leverages geographic advantage—connecting students with internships, industry scales, and collaborative opportunities with Lagos-based firms.
NUTM’s emphasis on STEM + entrepreneurship + management seeks to plug critical skills gaps in Nigeria’s economy, particularly in digital security, software development, enterprise tech, and data analytics—fields where demand far outpaces supply.
Student & Sector Impact
Early student feedback suggests that NUTM’s curriculum—centred around real projects, capstone experiences, and entrepreneurial exposure—makes a significant difference in employability. The university aims to produce graduates who are not just tech-savvy, but who also think entrepreneurially and operate comfortably at the intersection of innovation and business.
Industry placement components, public speaking and thought‑leadership training, plus project-based learning, ensure that students emerge career‑ready and primed to enter sectors from finance to energy, consulting to tech startups.
Future Milestones & Goals
Looking forward, NUTM intends to:
- Expand its suite of master’s programmes, perhaps adding specialised tracks like AI, fintech, robotics.
- Broaden its executive education offerings to sectors like policy, energy, and sustainability.
- Complete its permanent campus infrastructure in Ogun State, enabling growth beyond Apapa.
- Increase enrolment and solidify global partnerships with esteemed institutions for student/faculty exchanges.
The university positions itself not just as a local provider but as a pan-African STEM leader, committed to producing the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
Conclusion
With the debut of its undergraduate and master’s programmes at its Lagos site, NUTM has transitioned from an innovative concept into a bona fide educational pioneer. By offering STEM + management + entrepreneurship degrees from a global faculty, networked to industry, and embedded in Africa’s most vibrant city, NUTM is carving out a unique niche—one that aligns with its bold vision of being “In Africa, For Africa, and the World.” Expect growing influence, rising enrollment, and increasing output of tech‑talent that can shape Nigeria’s—and Africa’s—tomorrow.
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