President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to transition into a fully online institution, capitalising on its established expertise in open and distance learning. Speaking at NOUN’s 14th convocation in Abuja, Tinubu emphasised the need for the university to maximize its delivery system by fully embracing technology and elevating its online capabilities.
Represented by Hajiya Rakiya Ilyasu, Director of Universities Education at the Ministry of Education, Tinubu, who is the Visitor to NOUN, expressed his belief that the university is positioned to significantly influence Nigeria’s educational future and the development of modern skills. He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting education through the strategic deployment of information technology to enhance learning accessibility.
A key component of this support includes the government’s funding of fiber optic infrastructure installation at NOUN, aiming to provide seamless internet access to numerous students and study centers across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. Tinubu highlighted the broader benefits of federal interventions in infrastructure and research grants to universities.
He challenged NOUN to lead digital learning advancements across Africa, addressing educational challenges such as limited access to quality education and high illiteracy rates, particularly in rural areas. This aligns with Nigeria’s educational goals of equipping individuals with technological, scientific, vocational, entrepreneurial, and interpersonal skills to drive economic growth.
“This transition requires NOUN to fully leverage cutting-edge digital tools to ensure accessibility, flexibility, and the overall quality of education,” Tinubu stated, pledging full administrative support for the project. He urged the university’s leadership to develop a comprehensive roadmap for this transition, including strengthening the learning content management system, integrating AI and VR, enhancing faculty capacity, expanding partnerships with technology providers, and ensuring policy frameworks that promote inclusivity and data security.
Tinubu also emphasized the vast employment opportunities in the rapidly evolving IT sector, urging NOUN to proactively build local capacity to tap into these opportunities, aligning with the global shift towards knowledge-based economies.
The convocation saw 17,420 students graduate, including 10,967 undergraduates and 6,413 postgraduates. Notably, 16 undergraduates achieved first-class honors.
Vice Chancellor Professor Olufemi Peters advised the graduates to uphold integrity and apply their knowledge for societal impact, while Pro-Chancellor Isa Yuguda advocated for the inclusion of NOUN graduates in the NYSC scheme.
The event also featured the conferment of honorary degrees on African Development Bank President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina (Doctor of Humane Letter), and House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas (Doctor of Business Administration), in recognition of their contributions to the nation.
