Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO) is a privately owned university located in Okada, the headquarters of Ovia North-East Local Government Area in Edo State, Nigeria.

Established on 10 May 1999 by Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion CFR, IUO holds the distinction of being the first licensed a Private University in Nigeria s certified by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The university's Certificate of approval, No. 001, was granted by the Federal Government.

The institution officially opened its doors to foundation students on 15 October 1999. Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, a philanthropist and prominent figure in Benin City, provided the visionary leadership that gave rise to IUO's establishment.^[1]

The university's programs, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels, have received accreditation from the prestigious National Universities Commission (NUC).^[2][3] Additionally, the university's programs align with the requirements set forth by relevant professional bodies.^[4][5]

Igbinedion University comprises seven distinct Colleges, each catering to specific academic disciplines:

• Oba Erediauwa College of Law
• Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade College of Health Sciences
• Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II College of Natural and Applied Sciences
• Sanusi Lamido Sanusi College of Business and Management Studies
• Prof. Dora Akunyili College of Pharmacy
• General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar College of Engineering
• Goodluck Ebele Jonathan College of Arts and Social Sciences.^[6]

The late Professor Anthony Uyekpen Osagie served as the inaugural Substantive Vice-Chancellor from 29 October 1999 to 30 November 2003. Professor Nduka Uraih, who held the position of Deputy Vice Chancellor, subsequently assumed the role of Acting Vice Chancellor from December 2003 to 11 September 2004. Notably, Rev. Professor Eghosa Osaghae assumed the position of the second substantive Vice Chancellor, a role he held until June 2018 when Prof. Lawrence Ezemwonye assumed the mantle of leadership.^[7]

A notable milestone is IUO's distinction as the first Private University in Sub-Saharan Africa to produce medical doctors.

Partnerships with institutions such as the University of Westminster (UK) and Howard University (USA) facilitate collaborative endeavors in various academic disciplines. Furthermore, IUO's membership in organizations like the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNI) and participation in the Network Towards Unity for Health (NUFH) demonstrate its active engagement on the global educational stage.^[8]

Over 10,000 people have graduated from various undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the University. Since its establishment in 1999, it has worked for prominent firms both within and outside of Nigeria.^[9] It has also received support from people and organizations such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, which funded the creation of an ultra-modern library for the school, and former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshall Paul Dike, who gave a complex.^{[10][11][12][13]}

• Agboola Ajayi^[14]
• Regina Daniels^[15]
• Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Governor Gombe State.^[16]
• Kingsley Kuku, Former National Adviser, Niger Delta Affairs.^[17]
• Professor Damilola Sunday Olawuyi, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Vice Chair of the International Law Association^[18]
• Anita Ukah^[19]
• Sisi Yemmie, Youtuber and blogger.^[20]