UDUS graduate creates UniVerse; app to connect Nigerian university campuses

As conversations travel faster than footsteps across campus walkways, Nigerian students have long shared ideas, news, and inspiration on platforms that were never designed with campus life in mind. Seeing this gap, a young graduate of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), decided to build a bridge of his own.

That bridge is UniVerse—a campus-focused mobile application designed to connect Nigerian university students through news, motivation, and academic engagement.

The idea was conceived by Umar Muhammad Batako, a recent graduate of the Department of Computer Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. Umar, who hails from Gbako Local Government Area of Niger State, who developed the application after observing that Nigerian students lacked a dedicated digital space tailored specifically to campus life.

“Students had voices, but no common campus square online,” the developer observed—an insight that eventually shaped UniVerse.

About the Application

UniVerse is a digital campus square—part notice board, part library, and part social hub. Designed exclusively for university students, the app blends social interaction with practical academic tools.

Features of the platform include campus news feeds, stories, direct messaging, polls, CGPA calculators, timetables, and a digital library. Access to the app is campus-based, ensuring that discussions remain relevant, safe, and student-centered.

Built with performance, moderation, and scalability in mind, UniVerse is currently live on Android, with continuous improvements being made based on student feedback.

Challenges Along the Way

Like many innovation journeys, the road to UniVerse was not without bumps. Umar explained that financial constraints posed the greatest challenge during development.

“As we all know, financial constraints are a global issue—more so for individuals,” he said, noting that raising funds as a student developer with limited resources was a major hurdle.

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Beyond finances, he also faced technical challenges, including performance optimization, scaling, moderation, and ensuring user security. Balancing app development with academic responsibilities during his undergraduate days added another layer of difficulty to the journey.

Curriculum and Global Standards

Reflecting on his academic experience, Umar noted that while the Computer Science curriculum at UDUS is strong in theory, aligning graduates with global standards requires a stronger emphasis on practical skills, modern tools, and real-world software development.

He emphasized that not everything can be taught in the classroom and encouraged students to complement lectures with self-learning and personal projects in order to stay competitive in the evolving tech space.

Security and User Protection

Security, according to the developer, remains a core pillar of UniVerse. Umar explained that the app is built with a strong focus on user safety, including secure authentication, access control, and a protected backend system.

Measures such as account verification, reporting tools, and u active moderation are also in place to reduce phishing and misuse. He added that as the platform grows, security systems will continue to evolve in response to emerging digital threats.

From lecture halls to login screens, UniVerse stands as proof that innovation can grow from campus corridors. For many students, the app is not just a platform—it is a shared universe where campus voices finally have a home.

By: Yusuf Abdulqudus

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