Nigeria, like most other African countries, is experiencing rapid socio-economic and  political transformations.  In order to respond to these changes better, adopting and applying the remarkable breakthroughs in the various fields of knowledge inherent in higher education is needed.  Such a development will greatly enhance human capacity in the application of expert knowledge and skills to innovations in science and technology.  The effects of globalization, which compel Nigeria as a developing nation to assume greater responsibility for full functional development of her citizens, challenge her higher educational institutions to equip each individual student with the knowledge and skills needed  to interact in a more mutually supportive social and physical environment.  Additionally, higher education in Nigeria is under enormous pressure to expand.  Faced with ever increasing job complexities and requirements for higher levels of knowledge and skills as the society evolves, the individual Nigerian seeking to rediscover himself and redefine his or her vocation, career, and priorities, resorts to higher education to become an effective player in the present environment. 

It is against this background that the idea of Stella Maris University was conceived.  Based on her defined philosophy, the proposed university is a vision for the development of academic programmes comprehensive enough to accommodate the development (both physical and spiritual) of the student as well as to meet the requirements of Nigeria’s evolving society