The Nigerian landscape is currently dotted with numerous universities both public and private. But the private owned universities are springing up rapidly across all the geopolitical zones in the country. The government, acknowledging the growing demand of quality education, sensibly approved these universities owned and run by private individuals to complement its efforts of providing quality education to its people. Among these private universities is Greenfield University, the first private university in Kaduna State. The promoters and owners of this versatile university have a credible history spanning over twenty years of delivering good quality education at Nursery, Primary and secondary levels from inception. So its venture into the university system was a welcome initiative across the Nigerian education space. The outstanding feature of the university is the location of the school in the northern part of the country as envisioned by the promoters under the chairmanship of Chief Simon Nwakacha an engineer of repute who despite his roots of being an easterner patriotically went ahead and sited the university in the north without prejudice.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) approved the commencement of establishing the university in December, 2013 after assurance from the promoters of their full commitment to develop a unique university that will be a model of excellence and a reference for other universities in the country in terms of knowledge and service delivery. The approved and licensed Greenfield University commenced its academic activities in June 2019. And more than ten years after the promoters declared their intention to the National Universities Commission in 2013 to establish the university the institution has stood boldly and uniquely on its promise despite the challenges over the years.

His Royal Highness the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Nuhu Ahmed Bamalli who is also the Chancellor of Greenfield University recently while commissioning the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences of the school rightly summed it up when he said.

‘’ We’ve four universities in Kaduna and the mother of all, we have ABU in Zaria. I cannot say we have enough, but with the population in Kaduna, it is not enough to cater for demands. With Greenfield in the Kaduna metropolis, more students will gain, from what we have seen; you have most of the required faculties. I believe in a couple of years, we should be seeing the university as a leader of private universities in the North. Our doors are always open, it is a technology-driven university, keep it up’’

No doubt that Greenfield University since its establishment has proved itself among other private universities in the country with exceptional quality teachings from its various accredited courses. Most of these courses are adaptable globally. Among the array of courses the university offers are Cyber Security, Civil Engineering, Criminology and Security Studies, Economics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering , Industry Chemistry , Finance and Investment Management, Information Technology, Political Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering and Physics with Electronics among others.

Located at Kudenda in a serene environment amidst beautiful greenish setting as its name implies the Greenfield University has not shifted its focus on the establishment of a unique university which will be highly sort after and a reference point within tertiary education and a core focus of providing graduates with various internationally recognised qualifications, skills and exposures tailored to the development of humanity. It has within a short term laid a strong foundation that ensures that its staff, students and graduates are well equipped and more reputable than their peers from other universities. This is not surprising given the fact that the vision of the university was founded on the quest for excellence by producing knowledgeable, talented and enviable graduates who can positively contribute to societal development. Its mission also evidently defined their focus to create an academic physically, technically, socially with a morally robust system driven to produced knowledgeable students as critical thinkers in different fields of study and also support students to achieve their personal goals and ambitions for their future in order to give them self-fulfillment, self –respect and self-confidence and also produce leaders with the knowledge and ability to reposition Nigeria among other great nations.
It was in recognition of the excellence provided by the university and its management that spurred the National Association of Northern Nigerian Students to bestow an Award of Excellence on the founder Engineer Simon Nwakacha. The award ‘’ Epitome of Educational Development’’ was in recognition of his laudable contribution to educational development of the country. The President of National Association of Northern Nigerian Students, Abdulrahman Ibrahim in an interview with newsmen, said that it is the tradition of the association to search for those that give to society, especially in education development to award them. “The award is meant to encourage him to do more. Being someone from Anambra State and he decided to establish a university in the North, it shows he is a patriotic Nigerian,” he said.

In his remarks at the well attended ceremony, Benjamin Danjuma Barde, Yeriman Gbagyi, a traditional leader said that the award was well deserved. “When I received the invitation for this award, I said it was not a mistake. As a representative of the community, we know he has done so much for the community in many regards, as well as scholarship. You are a blessing to the Gbagyi Chiefdom. This is just the beginning, more awards will come. ‘’ He said.

Reacting to the award Engineer Simon Nwakacha expressed his joy and swiftly dedicated the award to the students of the institution who lost their lives during an unfortunate kidnapping at the main campus. “This award is dedicated to all those who lost their lives in the struggle, the present students, Imperial students, in fact, the whole world,” he said.

According to the Pro-Chancellor while fielding questions from newsmen, he said he feels great because the award was presented by students of educational institutions in Nigeria and would spur him on to doing more. “There is a lot of work to be done to ensure a brighter future. We would continue to do our best,”

He then called on the government to through its intervention agencies support private institutions to ensure that Nigerian students excel in all ramifications. “I am saying that the government itself has been saying that they cannot do it alone, they need people to come and assist them so they should support private universities. During the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, only private universities sustained education. Government is pumping much funding into public universities. The same should be done for private universities, it's necessary they fund both private and public universities. Even in advanced countries, the government was giving palliatives to Harvard and others. Its better government takes all along not necessarily equally, but it should be inclusive,” he appealed.

Engineer Nwakacha also recently awarded scholarships to two best graduating pupils (a male and a female) of Makarfi Central Primary school for their Secondary education at Imperial School Kaduna from JSS1 to SSS 3. He said the gesture was from his family to the two best graduating pupils. He revealed that the scholarship would be effective from the next academic session (2023/2024) on the occasion of the centenary anniversary of Makarfi Central Primary school. The Imperial School also owned by the pro-chancellor is a premier boarding primary and secondary school he founded in 1997 as part of his contribution to the development of education in Northern Nigeria.

Engineer Simon Nwakacha’s scholarship scheme cut across boundaries. The Pro-Chancellor who holds the traditional title of Onwa Umueri generously extended an amazing full scholarship to individuals from Umueri in Anambra State who are keen on pursuing their education at Greenfield University. The President General of Umueri Oke-Ebo, Dr Johnny Metchie, announced this generous gesture at the second Umueri General Assembly where he expressed his deepest appreciation on behalf of the people of Umueri.

‘’ I am extremely delighted to announce that the founder and Pro-chancellor of the esteemed Greenfield University, Engr. Chief Simon Nwakacha (Onwa Umueri) is extending an amazing full scholarship opportunity to individuals from Umueri who are keen on pursuing a degree program in the university. Dear Sir, please accept my deepest appreciation for this benevolent opportunity you have graciously extended to the community. Your generosity has filled our hearts with immense gratitude. Your commitment to education and empowerment is a beacon of inspiration for us all. On behalf of the entire Umueri community, we extend our profound thankfulness for your unwavering support and belief in the potential of our people. Your generosity will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the lives of those who seize this golden opportunity.’’ He said.

The President General then encouraged and implored the people of Umueri to embrace this rare deed with purposeful determination. ‘’ I would like to take this opportunity to encourage and implore the people of Umueri to embrace this rare deed with purposeful determination. The chance to pursue a higher education in such a distinguished institution is a unique privilege that should not be overlooked. Let us unite in seize this moment to invest in our future, empower our youth and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our community.’’ He advised.

At the moment given its past experience Greenfield University has put in place appropriate security measures to ensure the protection of the lives and property of its students and staff against incident of banditry. The university management further cautioned the students against posting sensitive information about the school on social media and to be security conscious.

Speaking to the students during the matriculation of the 4th set of the University’s students, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Simon Daniel Katung, told students to be security conscious and avoid a late return to the campus hostel. He assured parents present at the occasion that Greenfield University is committed to producing graduates that will compete favourably with their peers globally; the Vice Chancellor warned that the University will not tolerate cultism amongst its students.

According to Professor Katung, “The University will continue to work round the clock to ensure the security of lives and properties of our students. However, students are expected to be security conscious throughout their stay at the University. Students are advised to always be in the hostel early because staying out late would not be condoned by the security personnel. Given the fact that the use of Social Media is in vogue in our society today, you are advised to use it for only positive things that will add value to your stay in the University. The University does not permit the activities of any antisocial groups operating on the campus. In particular, membership in cult groups is prohibited and offenders will be summarily expelled. Students are expected to exhibit a high sense of discipline while in the University. The University will not award its degree to students who are found wanting in character and in learning,” the Vice Chancellor warned.

He, however, pointed out that the university has made adequate arrangements for both academic and social facilities like a well-equipped library, Digital Resource Centre, as well as sporting facilities for students and staff’s academic excellence and physical fitness.

Some of the parents at the occasion expressed satisfaction with the facilities at the university’s campus and expressed confidence that the university will do its best in training their children. No doubt that Greenfield University is universally set to train and bring out the best brains that would be epitome of success by producing knowledgeable, talented and enviable graduates who can positively contribute to societal development.