Benson Idahosa University has emerged as the only institution in the country rated amongst the Best 100 companies to work for in Nigeria, according to Jobberman’s 2018 list of best 100 companies to work for in Nigeria.

According to a survey conducted by Jobberman; an online platform that prides itself on providing viable solutions to unemployment, Benson Idahosa University was ranked 71st and the only university on the recently released list of companies recognised as best employers of labour in Nigeria.

The annual best 100 Companies to work for in Nigeria rates companies in the country based on measures such as employee satisfaction, happiness, work-life balance, career growth prospects and other relevant metrics as voted for by employees and career professionals.

According to the job search platform, the major work parameters responsible for the satisfactory ratings were centred primarily on Monthly Salary, Work-life Balance, Career Growth and Advancement, Welfare Benefits and Job Security.

Reacting to the news, the President of Benson Idahosa University, Bishop F.E.B. Idahosa expressed excitement as the institution is the only university that made the list.

According to him, State Government still owe salaries for months but Benson Idahosa University has paid promptly since inception in 1996, including what could have been a rough patch after the death of the founder, Archbishop Benson Idahosa.

“For taking care of salaries during a recession and for the excellent welfare scheme for staff, Benson Idahosa University was noticed and it got us ranked among Nigeria’s big six oil companies, and right up there with Nigeria’s top 5 banks. Our State Governor who also pays salary on time is also proud of us for doing well for the State,” Idahosa said.

Meanwhile, software development firm, Andela was ranked as the number one company to work for in Nigeria, while commercial banks like UBA, Union Bank and Access Bank were all in the top 10, along with consulting firms like KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers, with Dangote group rounding up the top 10.

This is the fourth edition, after the rankings were first released in 2014. The 4th edition of the ranking considered a total of 2,156 valid respondents, consisting of career professionals and employees across Nigerian owned companies and multinationals.

Other companies that made the list include Google, First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Union Bank, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Konga, amongst others.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), under its Mutual Cooperative Agreement with Tertiary Institutions (MCATI), visited Benson Idahosa University to assess the quality of the University’s accounting programme.

Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the MCATI committee, Chief Oye Akinsulire said the visit was to assess the dissemination of accounting knowledge to students and to improve their accounting experience and competency. According to him, when the Mutual Cooperative Agreement with Tertiary Institutions (MCATI) is signed after the accreditation, the deal would allow 100 and 200 Level undergraduates of the University to have five foundation and six skill level subjects exempted when writing their final ICAN examination. The exemption, he said is aimed at deepening the standard of learning and ethical skills among the students.

Also, the graduates would join the professional examinations, where they would be required to write only five papers required for qualification. He said the accreditation team was satisfied that the Benson Idahosa University has maintained high standards required to keep it on their list of accredited institutions by continually meeting the minimum eligibility standard set by the Council of the Institute, and recommended the collaboration and signing of this Mutual Co-operation Agreement with Benson Idahosa University.

Chief Akinsulire said, “On the subject per subject assessment is the job that brought us here, we have checked, it is the responsibility of ICAN President to be here in person to sign agreement before you, while you sign before him; but the task is mine to determine whether the University qualifies for the MCATI accreditation. Without mincing words, Benson Idahosa University has met the minimum standard.”

He further commended the lecturers in the department for their dedication and commitment adding that the system is perfect but there is always room for improvement. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie in his remarks thanked the team for their meticulousness stating that it is a welcome development as the University has continued to demonstrate capacity in learning.

He further attributed that the collaboration features the University’s core areas, which are Research, Teaching and Service. Prof. Izevbigie expressed delight in the assessment given and acknowledged the professionalism that ICAN has been identified with over time. He re-iterated that the institute should not relent in its pivotal role in national development.

The Acting Head, Department of Accounting, Dr. S.N Ugbogbo, thanked the management for their unflinching support adding that their contribution has aided in the successful churning out of eligible and competent accountants.

Meanwhile, to further support the growth of the accounting profession and enhance global competitiveness, the Institute recently donated laptops and accounting textbooks to Benson Idahosa University.

During the presentation which took place at the institute’s headquarter in Lagos, the 53rd President of ICAN, Ismaila Muhammadu Zakari, said the gesture was borne out of the association’s determination to add value, build capacity and improve the standard in the teaching of accountancy in tertiary institutions. He said: “As a professional body committed to technical excellence and in line with its statutory mandate of setting standards and regulating the practice of accountancy in the country, the institute proactively reacted to challenges facing tertiary institutions by instituting policies to support the growth and development of accounting education in Nigeria.”

The Acting Head, Department of Accounting, Dr. S.N Ugbogbo, while presenting the gift items to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie said the donation by ICAN was In line with the Institute’s drive to foster development in accounting knowledge and skills. Prof. Ernest Izevbigie congratulated the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences on the great achievement. He expressed optimism that the books will be beneficial to the students and aid academic growth.