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.
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.

