President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to advancing Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in Nigeria, aiming to enhance access, affordability, and quality in higher education. This affirmation came during the 13th Convocation and Investiture of the third Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), held in Abuja on April 13, 2024.
Represented by Biodun Saliu, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), President Tinubu highlighted the pivotal role of ODL in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The government’s support, through the Federal Ministry of Education and the NUC, aims to provide an environment conducive to effective delivery of distance education across the nation.
NOUN, under the leadership of its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Peters, has played a crucial role in championing ODL across Africa, being re-elected as the 1st Vice-President of the African Council for Distance Education. The university boasts significant contributions to e-learning initiatives, providing flexible, qualitative, and accessible education, promoting lifelong learning, and facilitating education for inmates and underrepresented groups.
The ceremony was also marked by the investiture of the new Chancellor, the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, who expressed his vision for fostering excellence, innovation, and inclusivity at NOUN. He emphasized his commitment to leveraging his role to advance the university’s standing as a leader in ODL in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The convocation celebrated the graduation of 22,175 students from various disciplines, with notable achievements in the Faculty of Social Sciences and outstanding academic performances, including 22 first-class honors graduates.
This event underscores the critical role of distance learning in democratizing education and facilitating greater access to learning opportunities across Nigeria, resonating with the government’s dedication to educational reform and development.
