Solution to Nigeria's university enrollment woes lies in NOUN, according to Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has pinpointed open and distance learning as the key to resolving Nigeria's longstanding university admission crisis, emphasizing the importance of adaptable education systems in broadening access to higher education.

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Tinubu made this declaration at the 15th convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, where he acknowledged the institution's role in addressing the widening gap between the number of admission seekers and the limited spaces available in traditional universities.

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With over two million candidates taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, annually, the President noted that only a fraction ultimately secure admission, leaving millions of qualified Nigerians excluded from the tertiary education system.

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According to Tinubu, NOUN has successfully demonstrated that the scope of higher education can be significantly expanded without sacrificing academic standards, describing the university as a crucial instrument for increasing access to education.

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Tinubu, represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, commended NOUN's flexible learning structure, which has eliminated barriers related to geography, occupation, age, and personal circumstances, enabling diverse groups to pursue higher education.

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The President also praised the university's partnership with security agencies, allowing personnel to enhance their qualifications, as well as its collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service to educate inmates, describing the prison education initiative as a significant commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration.

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Tinubu stressed that education remains a powerful tool for giving people a second chance, and the university's efforts in this regard are noteworthy, with over 24,000 students graduating at the convocation, including 17,474 undergraduate degree holders, 1,788 postgraduate diploma recipients, 5,282 master’s degree graduates, and 31 doctoral degree awardees.

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The graduating class included 57 First Class students and 57 inmates who earned first degrees through the university's correctional education programme, a testament to the university's commitment to expanding access to education.

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Tinubu reaffirmed his administration's commitment to reforming the education sector, pursuing policies to increase access, improve quality, and integrate technology into learning, citing the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, and investments in medical and STEM programmes as part of broader efforts to strengthen the country's higher education system.

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The President urged the graduating students to utilize their knowledge for innovation, integrity, and national development, emphasizing the importance of applying their skills to drive positive change.

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Oba Ewuare II, the Chancellor of the university and Oba of Benin, called for the removal of barriers preventing eligible NOUN graduates from participating in the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, scheme, highlighting the need for equal opportunities for all graduates.

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The Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, unveiled a five-year strategic plan aimed at transforming the institution into a global leader in open and distance learning, focusing on expanding access to education, strengthening digital infrastructure, and boosting research output.

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At the core of this plan lies the idea that education must be accessible, meaningful, and transformative, according to Uduma, who highlighted the university's digital expansion, including improved fibre optic connectivity and the migration of institutional systems to Amazon Web Services.

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NOUN now operates the largest Moodle-based learning management system in West Africa, serving over 180,000 active users and delivering more than 2,000 courses every semester, a significant milestone in the university's digital transformation.

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Uduma also pointed to improvements in physical infrastructure, including new academic buildings, laboratories, roads, and student accommodation across several study centres nationwide, demonstrating the university's commitment to providing a supportive learning environment.