By our Reporter
President Bola Tinubu has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) into a globally competitive online institution, as the university graduated 24,575 students at its 15th convocation ceremony.
Represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abdullahi Ribadu, the President described the convocation as both a celebration of academic excellence and an opportunity to reflect on the university’s contributions to national development.
A breakdown of the graduating students showed that 17,474 received undergraduate degrees, 1,788 earned postgraduate diplomas, 5,282 obtained master’s degrees, while 31 were awarded doctoral degrees. Among them, 57 graduated with First Class honours.
Tinubu commended NOUN for expanding access to higher education through its open and distance learning model, noting that the institution has removed barriers related to location, occupation, and personal circumstances. With over 500,000 students enrolled nationwide, he said NOUN has grown to become one of Africa’s largest open universities.
He observed that while over two million candidates sit annually for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), only a fraction secure admission into conventional universities, underscoring the critical role of institutions like NOUN in bridging the access gap.
The President emphasised that education remains central to national development, adding that his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda prioritises expanded access, improved quality, infrastructure development, and technology-driven learning. He highlighted initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and investments in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
“I reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming NOUN into a fully and internationally competitive online university,” he stated.
The ceremony also saw the graduation of 56 inmates benefiting from NOUN’s free education programme in correctional centres.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Udoma Oji Udoma, described the convocation as a milestone marking both the completion of academic pursuits and the beginning of societal responsibility. He noted that the university’s 2026–2031 transformation agenda is anchored on technology, research, and infrastructure development.
He highlighted advancements in digital infrastructure, including expanded fibre optic connectivity, migration to advanced cloud systems, and the operation of one of West Africa’s largest Moodle-based learning platforms with over 180,000 active users. He also cited progress in research, international collaborations, and the establishment of specialised centres such as the Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology-Enhanced Learning.
Also speaking, the Chancellor, Oba Ewuare II, described NOUN as a key instrument for inclusion and opportunity but raised concerns over the exclusion of its graduates from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He urged the Federal Government to remove policy barriers preventing eligible graduates from participating in the scheme.
Responding, Ribadu assured that the Commission would engage the NYSC to review existing policies, expressing optimism that necessary adjustments would reflect evolving realities in Nigeria’s education system.
The convocation ceremony, held in Abuja, attracted government officials, academics, and stakeholders, highlighting NOUN’s growing role in shaping a more inclusive and technology-driven tertiary education system in Nigeria.
