Philosophy and Religious Studies

The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies (formerly Department of Religious Studies) was among the earliest Departments that came on board when the University was established in 2003. At inception, it was only Christian Studies that commenced academic activities. However, Islamic Studies was later introduced with one lecturer and from that point on, more hands were brought in, thereby increasing the staff strength of the Unit.

The Head of Unit at its inception was Mr. Makpu Ishaya Mallo with D.D. Gonjoh and Benjamin M. Abdullahi. The three (3) staff pioneered the work until 2005 when Dr. T.A. Aluko came in as a Senior Lecturer and was made the Ag. Head of Department.

In 2005/2006, the Unit graduated her first set of students and the class had a total of eight (8) students where two (2) of them were outstanding and came out with 2^nd Class Upper Division. From that time on, the Department has witnessed appreciable increase in the intake of students, and the performances of students have been encouraging. It is imperative to point out that a Unit that started with one lecturer in 2003 at present has eleven 12 staff.  In 2005, the NUC accreditation Team came on inspection and after the exercise, the Unit secured an Interim Accreditation. By 2007, a Re-Accreditation was conducted, and the Department secured Full Accreditation. All the courses of the Department were Re-Accredited in September, 2015.

It is to be noted that the Department has also produced a First Class candidate, the first of its kind in the Faculty of Arts. The Unit has enjoyed patronage from Universities across the length and breadth of the nation and had succeeded in hosting the National Conference of the National Association for Biblical Studies (NABIS) in 2011.

A number of reputable scholars have been into the Unit for sabbaticals, and they have added value to our programme. Renowned among these are Prof. U.H.D. Danfulani, Prof. R.A. Akanmidu, Prof. C.I. Imo, Prof. J.D. Gwamna, Prof. Gaiya, M. and Prof. S. D. Shishima.

From what we were in 2003, as of today (2020), the Department  has 1 Professor, 1 Associate Professor, 2 Senior Lecturers,  5 Lecturers I, 1  Lecturer II and 1 Assistant Lecturer. The Department has a history of re-integrating our graduates back into the system. Notable in this respect are two (2) of our products that distinguished themselves academically and they have been integrated into the system and have grown considerably in the rank that they have become Lecturers II. They are Mr. Angbashim J. Theophilus and Mr. Oyiwose Ishaya Owusakio.

According to the University Act (Section 4 and 5), the objectives for which the University is established are to:

1. Encourage and promote the advancement of learning and hold out to all persons without distinction of race or creed;
2. Provide courses of instruction and other facilities and to make those facilities for the pursuit of learning in all its branches available on proper terms to such person(s) as equipped to benefit from them; and
3. Serve as both a teaching and examining body, subject to the provisions of the University Law specifying the functions of the University (S.5).

Coming Soon

• Deepen the candidates’ critical and analytical understanding of religious and cultural traditions of the human family with special reference to the African context.
• Encourage an in-depth study of specific areas within the subject with a view to specialized research.
• Produce graduates familiar with the methodological and theoretical developments in the relevant fields of religion and cultural studies who will be able to apply their knowledge to their environment and also make their own contribution to universal scholarship.
• Help students to develop independent thought, critical judgement, innovative thinking and tolerance in the field of religion and culture with a view for greater understanding and harmonious living in society.