President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to transition fully into an online university, leveraging its foundation in open and distance learning to lead a new era in digital education.
The directive was announced during the university’s 14th convocation ceremony in Abuja, where the President was represented by the Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Hajiya Rakiya Ilyasu.
According to President Tinubu, the Federal Government remains committed to transforming education through information technology. He emphasized that NOUN must become a central figure in Nigeria’s efforts to modernize education and bridge access gaps, especially in underserved rural areas.
“This administration supports the development of digital learning platforms and will ensure that infrastructure, policies, and resources are provided to make this transition successful,” he stated.
As part of this effort, the government is financing the installation of fibre optic infrastructure to enhance internet connectivity across NOUN’s various study centres throughout Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. The move is expected to significantly improve access to quality education for thousands of students.
The President also challenged NOUN to design a comprehensive roadmap for the transition, including the adoption of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality, enhancing digital content delivery and faculty capacity, and ensuring data security and inclusivity in its digital framework.
He further noted that Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind as global economies shift toward knowledge-based and technology-driven systems.
During the convocation, NOUN graduated a total of 17,420 students, comprising 10,967 undergraduates and 6,413 postgraduates. Among the undergraduates, 16 earned first-class honours, while 1,417 received second class upper division, 5,518 second class lower division, 2,761 third class, and 138 pass degrees.
At the postgraduate level, 2,103 were awarded postgraduate diplomas, 4,310 earned master’s degrees, and 40 received doctorate degrees.
Vice Chancellor Professor Olufemi Peters urged the graduates to uphold integrity, pursue excellence, and apply their knowledge toward building a better society. He encouraged alumni to remain engaged in the growth of the university.
Pro-Chancellor Isa Yuguda called for the inclusion of NOUN graduates in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, highlighting the need for policy reforms to reflect the evolving structure of higher education.
Honorary degrees were also conferred on two notable Nigerians: President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who received a Doctor of Humane Letters.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who was awarded a Doctor of Business Administration.
President Tinubu’s call for NOUN’s full digital transition marks a significant step in Nigeria’s educational reform agenda, aiming to align national learning systems with global trends in online and flexible learning.
