Tinubu Pledges to Transform NOUN Into World-Class Digital University

Tinubu Pledges to Transform NOUN Into World-Class Digital University
Improved e-learning platforms
Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma outlined a bold five-year strategic plan aimed at positioning the university as a global leader in open and distance learning

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) into a globally competitive online institution, with increased investment in digital infrastructure and learning systems, Eko Hot Blog reports.

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Speaking at the university’s 15th convocation ceremony in Abuja, the President described open and distance learning as a critical solution to Nigeria’s growing demand for tertiary education, especially as conventional universities struggle to accommodate the rising number of applicants.

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Represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, Tinubu noted that technology-driven education offers a pathway to expand access while maintaining academic quality.

He stressed that strengthening NOUN would not only create more opportunities for students but also equip them with relevant skills for today’s global economy.

With over 2 million candidates sitting annually for exams conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the President said only a fraction gain admission into conventional universities, leaving many qualified Nigerians without access to higher education.

Tinubu Pledges to Transform NOUN Into World-Class Digital University

According to him, NOUN has proven that education can be scaled without compromising standards, describing the institution as a “vital instrument” for widening access to learning across the country.

He added that the university’s flexible system allows working professionals, entrepreneurs, security personnel, and others to pursue academic goals regardless of their location or schedule.

At the convocation, more than 24,000 students graduated, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral candidates, with dozens earning First Class honours.

The Chancellor of the university, Ewuare II, called for the removal of barriers preventing NOUN graduates from participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma outlined a bold five-year strategic plan aimed at positioning the university as a global leader in open and distance learning.

The plan focuses on expanding access, improving research output, and strengthening digital infrastructure.

He highlighted ongoing upgrades, including expanded fibre optic connectivity across study centres and the migration of university systems to cloud-based platforms.

The institution now runs one of the largest Moodle-based learning systems in West Africa, supporting over 180,000 active users and delivering more than 2,000 courses each semester.

Uduma described the convocation as more than a ceremony, urging graduates to see it as the beginning of their responsibility to contribute meaningfully to society.