McPherson University, on Saturday, 5th July 2025, hosted the 12th edition of its Parents Consultative Forum (PCF), an interactive platform that brings together parents, guardians, university management, and staff to reflect on the past academic year and chart the way forward. The event, held on the university campus, served as an opportunity for stakeholders to review progress, share concerns, and celebrate the institution’s achievements.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francis Igbasan, described the gathering as an important engagement with key stakeholders. “It is always a delight to meet with our parents and guardians. Your contributions have been instrumental to our growth,” he said. He detailed activities and developments that had taken place since July 2024, noting that McPherson University had achieved significant academic and infrastructural milestones. The Vice-Chancellor emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and support from parents as the university strives to maintain excellence.
Highlighting academic progress, the Vice-Chancellor reported the successful completion of the second-semester examinations on 4th July 2025, the 13th matriculation ceremony with a record intake of 1,010 students, and the combined 8th and 9th convocation ceremonies. He also announced that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had approved new programmes, including degrees in Data Science and several postgraduate courses in Religious Studies and Accounting. Additionally, new programme proposals in Radiography, Forensic Science, and Social Work have been submitted for consideration.
The Nursing Science programme received particular commendation, with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) increasing the university’s quota from 100 to 200 students and granting full accreditation status. Two induction ceremonies were held within the year, producing 79 registered nurses. “Our students recorded 100% success in the professional examinations,” the Vice-Chancellor proudly stated. He credited this achievement to joint efforts by the university and parents.
On infrastructure, several major projects were completed within the year. These included a new female hall of residence, a second central cafeteria, a university bakery, a laboratory extension, and fencing around key hostels for enhanced security. Ongoing projects such as a 5,000-seater multipurpose hall, the construction of a health centre, and additional student hostels were also highlighted. The university acknowledged the strong support from PCF, donors, and individual parents who contributed to these initiatives.
The Vice-Chancellor addressed concerns related to students’ welfare and discipline. He noted ongoing efforts to strengthen student-lecturer relationships, enhance food quality monitoring, and support student exposure through academic excursions and competitions. On disciplinary matters, he emphasized the importance of enforcing rules while also applying clemency in deserving cases. He urged parents to counsel their wards and to report any misconduct or concerns promptly and directly to management.
In response to economic realities, the university has maintained its tuition fees but made modest adjustments to accommodation fees, particularly in line with agreements under its Build-Operate-Transfer (BoT) arrangements. Management also retained the four-installment payment structure to ease the financial burden on parents. Professor Igbasan appealed for prompt payment of fees and reassured stakeholders of management’s continued sensitivity to the economic situation of families.
During his welcome address, Elder Kola Adeniyi, Chairman of the PCF, commended the university management for their developmental strides. He urged the institution to reconsider the frequency of fee adjustments and to ensure that students who pay for accommodation are duly allocated bed spaces. He called for unity among parents and management, encouraging mutual respect and partnership for the benefit of the students.
The meeting also featured a presentation from Mr. Tony Ossai of FIRSTCARE KALYAAN Insurance, who introduced the Tuition Protection and Welfare Plan (TPWP), an insurance package for undergraduate students designed to cover tuition in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Parents listen to the proposal with interest as part of ongoing efforts to enhance student support services.
The 12th PCF meeting ended with a question-and-answer session, where parents shared their concerns and the management responded. The event showed McPherson University’s strong commitment to openness, growth, and creating a supportive environment for students. As Professor Igbasan said, “With your continued support, we will keep moving this university forward — in character and in learning.”
