This is one project we have been watching seriously – just to see how far it can go. A private university that will be 70%/30% online offline in Africa? With no accreditation right now, it is possible the Nigeria University Commission will kick them badly. But Beni American University has a presence. This is innovation, this is bold. University of Phoenix, Walden University and other online-based universities in U.S. are successful. Does it mean Nigeria is ready for this?

Africa’s first online only university, the Beni American University is ready. Courses are available in undergraduate for secondary school graduates and graduate categories for degree holders. Only two undergraduate courses are currently available – Associate Degree in Business Management and Associate Degree in Management Information Systems.

Undergraduate courses cost $2000 and are open to installment payments of $1000. Beni American University is also open to part-time students. Graduate courses on the other hand, cost $3000. 25 percent scholarships are available for students who have spent the equivalent of a year at the university and have a minimum GPA of 3.5. They have three professional development courses:

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The Entrepreneurship and Innovation professional program at BAU is designed for the study of all aspects of starting a business venture. The students will recognize and find their potential for creating a business venture or marketable product/ idea

• Professional Project Management: Project management has been proven to be the most effective method of delivering products within cost, schedule, and resource constraints. This intensive and hands-on course gives you the skills to ensure your projects are completed on time and on budget while giving the user the product they expect.

• Professional Strategic Management: This course focuses on some of the important current issues in strategic management. It will concentrate on modern analytical approaches and on enduring successful strategic practices.

What do you think this university can achieve in the highly regulated Nigerian university system? Will they be kicked out badly?