About NIU

Africa’s Global Hybrid University

Founded in 2011 as the Virtual University of Uganda (VUU), Nexus International University (NIU) is a trailblazer in African higher education – accredited by the Ugandan National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and built on a bold vision to “deliver Africa’s education future.” Originally conceived as a fully online university, NIU has now evolved into a dynamic hybrid institution, combining the power of digital learning with the vibrancy of physical campus engagement.

From its inception, NIU has championed flexibility, accessibility, and international quality. Its virtual model attracted students from 17 countries during its pilot phase, proving that African learners could thrive in a borderless academic environment. The university’s rebranding to Nexus International University reflected this global reach and its commitment to connecting Africa to the world through technology-driven education.

The COVID-19 pandemic validated NIU’s digital-first approach, allowing students to continue uninterrupted learning while other institutions paused. Today, NIU builds on that resilience by integrating on-campus experiences – labs, mentorship hubs, innovation centres, and community immersion – into its academic offerings. This hybrid model ensures that students benefit from both the convenience of online learning and the richness of in-person collaboration.

What NIU Offers

NIU now delivers a full spectrum of academic and professional programmes through its hybrid model:

Postgraduate Degrees
Postgraduate Diplomas
Undergraduate Degrees
Professional Short Courses
– On-campus Labs and Innovation Residencies
– Community-based Learning and Fieldwork Modules
Masters-Level Microcredential

Courses are taught by highly qualified faculty from diverse nationalities, delivering live virtual lectures and in-person sessions from various global and local locations. This blended approach removes barriers of place and pace, allowing every African learner to access world-class credentials affordably and flexibly.

Vision & Impact

NIU’s vision is to be Africa’s global university. A nexus of innovation, inclusion, and transformation. With enrolment across Africa still below 17%, NIU’s hybrid model is designed to exponentially expand access to higher education, especially in underserved regions. By combining digital reach with local relevance, NIU empowers learners to study, innovate, and lead from wherever they are.

Download Strategic Plan (2019-2024)
Annual Reports:
2018 (Download)
2019 (Download)

Our mission​

 To achieve excellence in tertiary education provision through providing quality programmes of the highest standards to students who will contribute to positive development in society.

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Our objective

To train professionals who can contribute meaningfully to the positive development of their country in the sectors that are, and will be, vital not only to Uganda but also to the region, in the coming decades.

Our ambition

It is our ambition to provide the quality of post-graduate education to meet the needs of the citizens of Uganda and our neighbours in East Africa and the African region.

GOVERNING COUNCIL

Dr. Ham Mulira

CHAIR, COUNCIL

Prof. Magnus Amajirionwu

VICE CHANCELLOR

Mrs. Dolorence Wakida

VICE CHAIR, COUNCIL

Professor Charles Olweny

REPRESENTING BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Miss Gertrude Kayaga

CHAIRPERSON OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE

Ms. Evelyn Grace Ayot

MEMBER OF THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE

Professor Paul Mugambi

MEMBER MEMBER OF THE QUALITY ASSURANCE COMMITTEE

Professor Everd Maniple ​

MEMBER

Dr Anthony Tibaingana

REPRESENTING THE SENATE

NIU TIMELINE

2011

University licence granted

Provisional licence to operate as the private university granted by the National Council for Higher Education, Uganda

2011

New Chancellor appointed

Lady Justice Flavia Senoga installed as the first Chancellor

2011

First programmes launched

Public Health and International Development programmes approved for teaching

2013

New Vice Chancellor appointed

Professor Michel Lejeune appointed as the second Vice Chancellor 

2013

MBA programme launched

NIU responds to the demand by introducing an online Executive MBA programme

2015

Corporate Academy opens

Responding to industry demands, NIU introduces a portfolio of short courses through Corporate Academy

2015

First graduation takes place

NIU celebrates the achievements of the students from Public Health, Executive MBA and International Development at the first NIU graduation

2017

NIU gains new owners

Educational Capital Funding Ltd acquires NIU

2017

New Vice Chancellor appointed

Prof. Everd B. Maniple PHD appointed as the new Vice Chancellor

2017

Chancellor re-appointed

Lady Justice Flavia Senoga is re-appointed as Chancellor

2017

Third graduation takes place

NIU celebrates the achievements of the students from Public Health, ICT4D, Executive MBA and International Development at the third NIU graduation

2010

NIU born

2010

First Vice Chancellor appointed

Professor Deirdre Carabine appointed the First Vice Chancellor

2012

First student cohort

NIU admits its first students  to Public Heath and International Development programmes 

2014

New programme launched: ICT4D

Aligning to strategic priorities for Uganda and East Africa Region, NIU launches Information Communications Technology for Development programme

2016

Second graduation takes place

NIU celebrates the achievements of the students from Public Health and International Development at the first NIU graduation

2018

New website launched

NIU marketing team launch a new responsive and interactive website

2018

New Marketing director appointed

Mr. Brian Ntambirweki is appointed as the first Marketing Director at NIU

2018

4th Graduation Ceremony is held

14th December 2018. Students receive awards for postgraduate diplomas and masters programmes.