Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters
By Felix Khanoba
President Bola Tinubu has vowed to mobilise more support for the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to boost Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system of education in the country.
Speaking during the university’s 14th convocation ceremony held on Saturday in Abuja, Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa—who was in turn represented by Rakiya Gambo, Director of Tertiary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, emphasized the importance of advancing technological infrastructure to enhance learning in ODL institutions.
“The Federal Government under my leadership is committed to supporting education by leveraging information technology to enhance learning,” Tinubu said.
“Through strategic intervention, we are ensuring that education remains the key to our technological development.
“As such, the Federal Government through TETFund, is financing the fibre optic infrastructure at NOUN to provide seamless Internet access to substantial number of students at study centres across the geo-political zones of the country.
“This initiative harnesses the power of technology to improve access to education as faster as possible.
“This university has benefitted immensely from various government intervention provided through TetFund and we remain committed to ensuring that possible financial resources are consistently provided for the advancement of education through ODL in Nigeria,” the President said.
Also speaking at the event, Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olufemi Peters, said NOUN has continued to receive requests for the establishment of additional study centres from prominent individuals, community leaders and associations.
This, he said, was a testament of the essential role the educational institution had played in serving the nation.
According to him, NOUN has recorded remarkable achievements since its last convocation in 2024, including its full transition to an online university, the implementation of digital transformation initiatives, and several accreditation milestones, adding that the institution would consolidates on the feats.
“In addition to national accreditation efforts, NOUN underwent an international institutional accreditation exercise conducted by the Quality Assurance Agency in the United Kingdom (UK). These efforts ensure that NOUN continues to provide quality education that meets global standards.
“By these accomplishments, NOUN reaffirms its status as a transformative force in higher education in Nigeria and beyond. We remain steadfast in our mission to deliver functional, cost-effective education that adds lifelong value to all who seek knowledge…..
“The National Open University Nigeria (NOUN) remains steadfast in its commitment to its core mandates of teaching, research, and community service. As we look forward to 2025 and beyond, the university is poised to consolidate its achievements while embracing new opportunities for growth and innovation.
The VC said the 14th convocation was another opportunity for NOUN to celebrate the academic achievements of its students, out of which 17,420 graduated, comprising of 10,967 undergraduates and 6,413 postgraduate students.
On his part , the Pro-Chancellor and chairman of the governing council of the University, Malam Isa Yuguda, urged the Federal Government to incorporate NOUN graduates into its National Youth Service Corps programme, to encourage more youths to enrol in the ODL structure.
Yuguda also appealed to the government to allow the admission of NOUN Law graduates into the Law School, to give room for more student to enrolment into the University Law Faculty.
The AUTHORITY reports that the event also witnessed the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank (AfDB) Group.
While Abbas was awarded an honorary Doctor of Business Administration, Adesina received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
