By Felix Khanoba
L-R: NOUN VC, Prof. Uduma Orji Uduma, former President Obasanjo and Prof. Olufemi Peters.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advocated major reforms at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), urging the reinstatement of its Law programme, a boost in student enrolment, and the adoption of artificial intelligence across its academic framework.
Obasanjo made the call on Friday when he received the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uduma Orji Uduma, alongside members of the university’s management team at his Abeokuta residence in Ogun State. The visit followed their formal introduction.
In a statement issued by NOUN’s Director of Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Sheme, the former president stressed the importance of academic progress driven by innovation and technology. He urged the institution’s leadership to embrace modernisation while widening educational access.
In his response, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Peters, stated that the university had already made notable progress in embedding artificial intelligence into its academic curriculum.
He explained that the initiative has attracted recognition from international educational organisations.
Speaking on enrolment figures, Peters revealed that NOUN currently has about 300,000 registered students, with roughly 190,000 actively participating, noting that the difference represents varying levels of engagement among students.
He voiced confidence in the new Vice-Chancellor, describing Professor Uduma as committed to sustaining innovation and deepening institutional reforms.
In his own remarks, Professor Uduma assured that reviving the Law programme would be a top priority, alongside consolidating ongoing reform efforts.
He also expressed appreciation to Obasanjo for his sustained backing and contributions to the university’s development.
The Vice-Chancellor later visited the university’s Abeokuta Study Centre, where he was welcomed by Centre Director, Oyekunle Adegboyega, who led the delegation on an inspection tour of the centre’s offices.
