By Felix Khanoba
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) says it is fully prepared for the takeoff of the newly established Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olufemi Peters made this known on Thursday while receiving Ambassador/ Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, Dr. Hajo Sani, at the NOUN headquarters in Abuja.
Peters, who expressed delight on establishment of the international institute in the University, commended President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, among others, for their efforts towards making it reality.
He assured that NOUN has taken significant steps to ensure its success.
“The Institute has been fully integrated into our system, and we have had to go out of our way to make sure that it is sustainable,” he said.
While acknowledging that further work is needed before the institute can officially commence operations, Peters expressed satisfaction with the positive report from experts and called for continued support.
“We have received the report of the experts, and we are grateful that the result was favourable. We are also aware that this is just the first of the process, and in fact, there are so many hurdles. It is not yet uhuru, and we want to plead with the Ambassador that all what she has been trying to do to get the concurrence of the other various bodies within the UNESCO body will continue. We cherish that and plead for that,” he said.
To ensure financial autonomy as recommended by experts, Peters revealed that NOUN has set up a separate account for the institute outside the university’s Treasury Single Account, making it easier for sponsors to audit its finances.
Speaking further, the VC said NOUN has already put in place various frameworks for the successful takeoff of the Institute ahead of UNESCO’s expected final approval in November 2025.
“In terms of our delivery of the Institute, the academic content, the National Open University of Nigeria is best suited to host this Institute, I must tell you. The whole of Nigeria we are present.
“We have about 123 study centres, so in terms of really having the spread that an Institute should have, no university in this country has that. That is one. So most of our content cannot just be delivered online, it can also be delivered physically within all those communities that I have said.
“So we have proposed programmes within the next five years, ten years and fifteen years, that is we will have programmes for short term, medium and long term. And we are focusing on UNESCO’s priority areas, so that it will have immediate relevance for the establishment of the Institute. And aside from that, then we will now start looking at capacity, building the exchanges, researches,” the VC said.
On her part, the Ambassador/ Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, Hajo Sani, said the international Institute is very important to the global organization.
“Even the UNESCO secretary is looking forward to seeing the establishment of this institute here in Nigeria. And it’s a milestone for us,” she said.
The former Minister of Women Affairs added that with the favourable expert report, the next crucial step is securing final approval during UNESCO’s General Conference in November.
“It is a very good programme. It will ensure that Nigeria continues to deploy its expertise and intellectual contribution in strategic areas in line with our national commitment to intellectual cooperation with the international system,” she said.
While commending NOUN’s efforts, Sani stressed the need for the University to actively participate in reviewing the draft agreement and to uphold the institute’s autonomy.
“I want to also not conclude without saying that there is a need for us to understand the importance of autonomy, which has already been reported and emphasized by the experts.
“Independence of the Institute through non-interference by both the University and the Federal Government of Nigeria has already been pointed out in the report. It’s very important. And this is really important, like I said, because what we need to do now is to emphasize strengthening the institute’s governance,” she said.
