In order to integrate open and distance learning graduates into the national framework, President Bola Tinubu has mandated the Federal Ministry of Education to develop strategies for the inclusion of National Open University of Nigeria graduates in the National Youth Service Corps, specifically targeting those who are eligible by age as per the legal provisions.
This directive was issued during the 13th convocation ceremony of NOUN, held on April 13, 2024, at the University’s Convocation Arena in Jabi, Abuja.
The President, represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Biodun Saliu, also resolved the prolonged issue of NOUN law graduates’ admission into the country’s law schools.
President Tinubu stated, “With the changing demographics of our great nation, the government has recognised the importance of allowing NOUN graduates to participate in the NYSC scheme. The doors of the Law School are now open to the graduates, ensuring equal opportunities for all. Any remaining concerns or uncertainties should be promptly addressed by the Federal Ministry of Education.”
Highlighting the event as more than just a celebration of academic achievements, President Tinubu underscored the pivotal role of Open and Distance Education in shaping Nigeria’s educational landscape.
He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to bolstering ODL to widen higher education access nationwide, noting its criticality in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
“We will continue to do this in order to improve quality, access and affordability. Government is, therefore, committed through the Federal Ministry of Education and the NUC to provide the enabling environment to ensure a good delivery of this mode of education in Nigeria,” he emphasized.
The President expressed his excitement about NOUN’s evolution from a platform initially designed for the working class to one that now caters to the burgeoning needs of the youth. He acknowledged the hurdles faced by school leavers in securing admissions to conventional universities and stressed the need for advanced technological research at NOUN to accommodate more students and enhance the nation’s social safety nets.
In a forward-looking statement, President Tinubu announced that within the next six months, NOUN would begin offering ICT program access to government officials, particularly postgraduate courses at the African Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning.
He called upon NOUN to welcome qualified government personnel into its postgraduate programs at ACETEL, aligning with the government’s transformative journey to embed Artificial Intelligence across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.
Lastly, President Tinubu charged the World Bank-supported ACETEL, hosted by NOUN, with the mission to concentrate on research that will advance the use of ICT tools for improved educational outcomes in Nigeria.
