Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to transform the National Open University of Nigeria into a world-class online institution, promising increased investment in digital infrastructure, improved learning platforms and broader access to flexible, high-quality education.
Speaking at the university’s 15th convocation ceremony Saturday in Abuja, Tinubu said the institution’s open and distance learning model offers a strategic solution to Nigeria’s widening gap between demand for tertiary education and the limited capacity of conventional universities.
Represented by Abdullahi Ribadu, executive secretary of the National Universities Commission, the president reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening regulatory standards, improving course delivery and building partnerships with global institutions to ensure the university’s degrees remain competitive and widely recognized.
Tinubu said embracing technology-driven education would allow more students to access higher learning while equipping them with skills relevant to a rapidly evolving global economy.
More than 2 million candidates sit annually for exams conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board but only a fraction gain admission into universities, leaving many qualified applicants without opportunities, he said.
“NOUN has demonstrated that the frontiers of higher education can be expanded significantly without compromising academic standards,” Tinubu said, describing the university as a “vital instrument” for expanding access to education.
The president said the institution’s flexible structure removes barriers related to location, occupation and personal circumstances, enabling working professionals, women, security personnel and entrepreneurs to pursue higher education.
More than 24,000 students graduated at the ceremony, including 17,474 undergraduates, 1,788 postgraduate diploma recipients, 5,282 master’s degree holders and 31 doctoral graduates. Among undergraduates, 57 earned first-class honors, while 57 inmates also obtained first degrees.
Tinubu urged graduates to apply their knowledge toward innovation, integrity and national development.
Chancellor Ewuare ll called on authorities to remove barriers preventing eligible graduates from participating in Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps program.
Vice-Chancellor Uduma Orji Uduma outlined a five-year strategic plan (2026–2031) aimed at expanding access, strengthening digital infrastructure and boosting research output.
He said the university has expanded fiber-optic connectivity across its study centers and migrated its systems to Amazon Web Services. The institution now operates what he described as West Africa’s largest Moodle-based learning management system, supporting more than 180,000 active users and delivering over 2,000 courses per semester.
Uduma also cited improvements in physical infrastructure, including new academic buildings, laboratories, roads and student housing across several centers, with additional projects underway nationwide.
