Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide and chancellor of Covenant University, has described the institution as “God’s own new-generation Harvard”, expressing his vision for the university to become a globally recognised centre of academic excellence.
Oyedepo made the remark as the university marked its 24th Founder’s Day, highlighting the institution’s ambitions and its place in Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
The comparison with Harvard University reflects his aspiration for Covenant University to develop into an institution with a strong international reputation for teaching, research, innovation and the development of future leaders.
Established in Ota, Ogun State, Covenant University has built its identity around academic training, entrepreneurship, leadership development and Christian values. Its vision has emphasised the development of graduates equipped to contribute to national development and compete in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
Oyedepo’s description presents the university’s ambitions in explicitly religious terms, while invoking Harvard as a reference point for international academic standing.
Harvard University, founded in 1636, is one of the world’s oldest and most widely recognised institutions of higher learning. Its reputation has developed over centuries through academic research, teaching, institutional resources and an extensive international network of alumni.
For Covenant University, achieving comparable global recognition would require sustained investment in research, academic infrastructure, faculty development, international collaboration and the quality of its educational programmes.
Nigerian universities continue to face challenges involving funding, infrastructure, research capacity and the retention of skilled academic personnel. Institutions seeking stronger international standing must also compete for talented students and researchers while responding to the needs of their local communities.
Oyedepo’s statement underscores the ambition to position Covenant University beyond the domestic higher education market and strengthen its profile as a centre for academic and leadership development.
The declaration is an expression of the university founder’s vision rather than an independent assessment of the institution’s standing relative to Harvard.
As Covenant University celebrates another milestone, its long-term progress will be measured by academic outcomes, research contributions, graduate performance and its ability to build lasting international partnerships.