One of the newly approved private universities in Nigeria is the Mountain Top University.
The proprietors of the university is the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), a Christian, Evangelical, Pentecostal and inter-denominational missionary organization, which is a sub-set of the overall vision received in August 1977 by Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, the founder and General Overseer of MFM Ministries worldwide.
MFM began as a church in 1989 and is thus one of the youngest pentecostal churches in Nigeria to run/own a university.
When Dr.Olukoya was born , little did his parents know that they had taken delivery of an exceptional child ordained by God to fulfill a destiny that would in turn, positively affect the destiny of others. And in pursuit of that destiny, Dr. Olukoya laid down an academic blueprint whose pedigree remains outstanding. At Saint John’s CAC Primary School, Akure in Ondo State, and Saint Jude’s primary School, Ebute Metta, Lagos where he completed his primary education, excellence was his watch word. Rather than occupy himself with exuberance that was a common feature among the, youths, he developed a passion for God.
Dr. Daniel Olukoya’s academic profile took a leap while at Methodist Boys’ High School, Lagos , where he graduated with Grade One Distinction and was the best student in his set. Not one known to rest on his oars, he took his academic exploits to the prestigious University of Lagos and, as would be expected, the genius in him proved that all earlier outstanding academic results were no fluke, as he graduated with a first class honours degree. In fact it was the first from the department since the university was established in 1962.
Dr. Olukoya’s thirst for more academic laurels found expression at the University of Reading, UK, where, with a Commonwealth scholarship, he studied for a PhD in Molecular Genetics, which was completed in record time, making him probably the first Nigerian to obtain a Ph.D. in this subject area. With such an intimidating academic resume! it was only natural that opportunities would beckon. But not even the pressure to stay back in England could sway him from returning to Nigeria.
His first port of call on arrival was the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba. He was a lecturer as well as external examiner to a number of Nigerian universities, among them the University of Lagos , UNILAG and university of Benin, UNIBEN.
Dr. olukoya is on record as having been the first scientist to establish an indigenous Molecular Biology and Biotechnology laboratory in Nigeria. One important contribution by Dr. Olukoya to biotechnology and health care delivery is the creation of a new type of Pap (Ogi), named Dogik, a weaning food that has improved nutritional qualities that can control diarrhea. The laboratory also ranks among the first to done genes in Nigeria.
Dr. Olukoya has supervised over 20 Ph.D. students, most of whom are doing well in their chosen fields. As a researcher, he has over 80 scientific publications to his credit. Notwithstanding his exploits on the academic turf, he devotes much of his time to God through preaching, delivering papers at seminars, singing etc.
That Dr. Olukoya would become a mighty tool in the hands of God to serve as a vehicle of deliverance for his generation manifested itself in 1989, when Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries was given birth to in his sitting room at Yaba, with 24 worshippers. And like the story of the acorn seed that metamorphosed into the great oak tree with several branches providing nests to all birds of varied proportions, MFM has thousands of branches spread across Nigeria , Africa and Asia . A huge percentage of branches are also located in the United States and Europe .
The Ministry is noted for its unique, powerful prayers that are fast redefining the major strategic input that puts the devil and his cohorts in the most bemused of confusion.
Absolute holiness is preached within and outside as spiritual prerequisite for heaven.
In addition to his over 80 scientific publications, Dr Olukoya has written more than double that number of spiritual books, 150 of them, most of which are bestsellers.
PRAYER RAIN, a prayer manual which has become a companion for many Christians across several denominations, has sold millions of copies. Besides, Dr. Olukoya has 70 Christian songs that he has composed.
Dr. Olukoya venturing into university education does not come as a surprise to many given his pedigree.
The Mountain Top University is located at the MFM Prayer City, Mowe, Ogun State along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The facilities of the university have been ready for about 4 years while awaiting government approval which thankfully came a few days ago.
The Mountain Top University has elected to adopt the nomenclature "College" rather than “Faculty” as practiced in contemporary universities abroad as well as the newly established ones in Nigeria.
The Mountain Top University has elected to adopt the nomenclature "College" rather than “Faculty” as practiced in contemporary universities abroad as well as the newly established ones in Nigeria.
At full capacity, MTU will have at least six (6) Undergraduate Colleges and a Postgraduate School.
Dr Olukoya is happily married to pastor Shade and both have a son.
Dr Olukoya is happily married to pastor Shade and both have a son.
Acknowledgement : Church gist , drolukoya's wordpress
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