The Mission and Philosophy of Pan-Atlantic University

Pan-Atlantic University has a strong Christian identity, which is reflected in campus life and in the content of the education they offer. One important characteristic of this identity is the openness of the University to people of all races and religions.

The Mission Statement of the University is: "to form competent and committed professionals and encourage them to serve with personal initiative and social responsibility the community in which they work, thereby helping to build a better society in Nigeria and Africa at large". This dream encapsulates the purpose of the University.

Pan-Atlantic University contributes to national development through the provision of academic programmes that are relevant to the needs of the country. The university is open to all people regardless of their nationality, race, sex, religion or ethnic group. The curricular activities of the University are part of a wider all round formation which is provided in the University.

The objective of education in their university is the well rounded formation of the human person. This is why an important component of every programme is the inclusion of a good number of courses in the humanities. They also seek, by deliberate design of the programmes, to inculcate and groom the entrepreneurial spirit in their students and participants. The university aims at nurturing individuals who are professionally competent, creative and enterprising, zealous for the common good and able to make free and morally upright decisions and who thus act as positive agents of change in service to society.

The name University implies a universal mentality: openness to other persons, ideas, areas of knowledge, cultures far and near, without discrimination.

The University is also a place that fosters and stimulates study and a permanent search for the truth. This involves the labour of intelligence, intellectual honesty and the desire to learn, combined with the desire to continually overcome one’s limits.  In addition, university studies require a cultivation of one’s own personality and the development of the habits necessary for professional and social life.

Opus Dei & the University
The founders of Pan-Atlantic University were inspired in beginning this educational project by the teachings of the founder of Opus Dei. Furthermore, the Prelature of Opus Dei provides the spiritual and pastoral means necessary in order that the University may maintain and develop its Christian identity. The Prelature of Opus Dei takes responsibility for guaranteeing that all teaching, publishing and research activities in PAU are inspired by the Christian view of the person, the world and society, and seeks a coherent union between faith, thought and life.

The Christian inspiration of the Pan-Atlantic University moves it to promote student participation in activities of solidarity, and teaches them to dedicate part of their time to those most in need. In this way they gain consciousness of their responsibility to serve society with their future work.

Opus Dei and Its Mission
Opus Dei’s purpose is to contribute to the Church’s evangelizing mission. In particular, it aims to spread the Christian message that every single person is called to holiness. This teaching was at the heart of the Second Vatican Council, which was enormously influential in shaping the Catholic Church’s understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ in the modem world.

The Founder
Saint Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975), founded Opus Dei in 1928. Even during his lifetime he had a reputation for holiness, which continued to grow around the world after his death. He was declared blessed in 1992 and a saint in 2002 by Pope John Paul II. The feast day of Saint Josemaría is June 26.

Members
People of all kinds belong to Opus Dei: priests and lay people, men and women, young and old, married and single; of every occupation and social level. Men and women have the same status in Opus Dei, Most members are married and have families. Some members make a commitment to celibacy, and so generally have more time and availability to dedicate to the various activities promoted by Opus Dei.