By our Reporter
The management of the National Open University of Nigeria has suspended all activities of its Alumni Association, including its election scheduled for October 10, 2026.
The suspension followed petitions alleging certificate forgery and racketeering involving the association’s national leadership.
The university also constituted a committee to investigate the allegations against the National President of the National Open University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Mr Ifeanyi Obukwelu, and members of the association’s executive committee.
These decisions were contained in a letter obtained by our correspondent on Saturday, signed by the University Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Oladipo Ajayi.
According to the letter, the petitions were considered at the 124th Regular Meeting of the university management held on Wednesday, September 21, 2026.
The university said the petitions contained allegations relating to alleged forgery of certificates, certificate racketeering, and other matters of serious concern concerning the conduct and activities of the NOUNAA president and executive committee members.
The petitions also raised concerns about the alleged participation of non-graduates of the university in the affairs of the association, as well as irregularities in the electoral process, including the eligibility of voters and candidates.
The university, however, stressed that the allegations were yet to be established.
It noted that the issues required proper and impartial examination, adding that the allegations should not be treated as established facts before the conclusion of the investigation.
Consequently, the university suspended all processes relating to the election of a new executive committee of the alumni association.
It also suspended the activities of the current executive committee across the national body, state chapters, and other arms of the association pending the outcome of the investigation.
The university further directed that a committee be constituted to investigate the claims, including the participation of alleged non-graduates in the affairs of the association.
In addition, the university directed that Obukwelu, who serves on its Governing Council by virtue of his position as NOUNAA president, cease participation in council proceedings in that capacity pending the determination of the matter.
Confirming the development, the Acting Director of NOUN Alumni and Endowment Unit, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim, stated that the university received a petition containing allegations of certificate forgery and financial impropriety against members of the alumni executive.
He explained that the suspension was necessary because the institution prioritized resolving the allegations over holding the election.
Ibrahim added that the university would allow the election to proceed if the executives were cleared, but would institute a wider investigation if they were not.
“We received a petition, part of which involves allegations of certificate forgery directly linked to NOUN.
“The university has suspended all activities of the alumni association, and it remains that way until the investigation clears all the executives of any wrongdoing.
“If they are cleared, the election goes ahead; if they are not cleared, a wider investigation will be instituted,” said.
Ibrahim further stated that the petition alleged that some individuals accused of involvement in the certificate racketeering claims were either contesting in the election or serving on the electoral committee.
He also raised concerns over allegations that persons who were not graduates had been included on alumni membership lists.
He noted that the investigation committee, of which he is a member, would invite the petitioners and the accused officers.
“If the allegation is proven wrong, the university will declare it false, but if proven right, the university will punish anyone who forged our certificate,” he said.
However, the NOUNAA president insisted that the October 10 election would hold despite the university’s directive.
In an internal memo dated September 30, 2026, with reference number NOUNAA/NEC/23/T/005, Obukwelu stated that the association had responded to the university through its solicitors.
The director, however, stated that he was yet to receive the response.
Obukwelu said the association was not opposed to transparency or investigation, but argued that the affected officers must be given a fair opportunity to defend themselves.
The president added that NOUNAA’s lawyers maintained that the association was an independently incorporated body whose internal governance and elections were regulated by its constitution and applicable laws.
He stressed that the electoral process would proceed in accordance with the association’s constitution while the issues raised were being addressed through legal channels.
Obukwelu urged members and delegates to remain calm, emphasizing that no individual should be presumed guilty prior to the outcome of the investigation.
When contacted, Obukwelu said he could not respond immediately and promised to get back to our correspondent, but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.
