Summit University, Offa, took a significant step in reshaping Nigeria’s academic landscape with the groundbreaking of two major colleges —the Lateef Olufemi Okunnu School of Law and International Jurisprudence and the Folawiyo International College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Digital Communities, and Oriental Studies.

 The high-profile event, held on Saturday, 1st March 2025 in Lagos, drew government officials, legal experts scholars and large number of representatives of the Proprietor, hence, underscoring the University’s commitment to advancing legal and Islamic education in the country.  

Dignitaries in attendance included Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat; former President of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji. Femi Okunnu SAN, current President, ADSN, Alhaji Aare R. A. Sanni, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the donor and Chairman of the DSE Foundation, Chief Tunde Fanimokun.

Also present were the Pro-Chancellor, Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abiodun Musa Aibinu amongst several other distinguished dignitaries.

Opening the ceremony, Dr. Adeola Nurat Akinlabi Babalola highlighted the Uuniversity’s drive for excellence and recognised the generosity of the benefactors. 

The Vice-Chancellor, a renowned Artificial Intelligence and STEM scholar, emphasized the initiative’s transformative potential, while the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council paid tributes to Alhaji Okunnu and Chief Fanimokun for their contributions to education.  

A key moment of the event was the presentation of academic briefs. by Hon. (Barr.) Ibrahim Olarewaju, representing the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, outlined the vision for the Lateef Okunnu School of Law in order to position it as a leading institution in Nigerian legal education. Similarly, Prof Amidu Sanni, former Vice-Chancellor, Fountain University Osogbo detailed the mission of the Folawiyo College of Arabic and Islamic Studies. He stated that the College aims to integrate Islamic and digital studies into a globally relevant curriculum.  

In his keynote address, Chief Tunde Fanimokun, who reaffirmed his dedication to education and philanthropy. Alhaji (Dr.) Lateef Olufemi Okunnu (SAN, CON) stressed the role of Islamic law in shaping Nigeria’s legal and ethical framework.  

The event culminated in the official groundbreaking ceremony, led by Chief Fanimokun and other dignitaries, symbolizing the beginning of a new era in Nigerian education. Dr. Hamzat, in his closing remarks, or underscored the urgency of technology- driven learning and its role in preparing future generations.  

With construction being planned to commerce soon, the new Colleges are set to redefine legal and Islamic scholarship in Nigeria, further establishing Summit University as a center of academic excellence.

Meanwhile, the Council of the University has given approval for the take-off of the College of Heath Sciences where programmes such as Public Health, Medical Laboratory Science and Nursing will be domiciled.