Nigeria university admission crisis continues to deepen as millions of qualified candidates struggle to secure limited spaces in conventional universities President Bola Tinubu has now pointed to the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) as a major solution to this long standing challenge
Speaking at NOUN’s 15th convocation, Tinubu emphasized that open and distance learning offers a scalable and flexible path to expand access to higher education According to him, this model is essential for addressing the growing imbalance between applicants and available university slots across the country
He noted that with over two million candidates writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) yearly, only a small fraction gain admission, leaving many talented Nigerians without access to tertiary education
Tinubu Identifies NOUN as Key to Solving Admission Pressure
President Bola Tinubu said the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has proven that Nigeria can expand higher education access without lowering academic standards
He described NOUN as a strategic institution helping to ease the pressure caused by the Nigeria university admission crisis, where demand far outweighs supply
Expanding Access Without Compromising Standards
Tinubu explained that open and distance learning removes traditional barriers such as geography, age, occupation, and personal circumstances, allowing more Nigerians to pursue higher education
He said workers, entrepreneurs, women, security personnel, and other groups now have better opportunities through flexible learning systems
Over 24,000 Students Graduate in Historic Convocation
At the convocation ceremony, more than 24,000 students graduated across different academic levels
Breakdown of Graduates
- 17,474 undergraduate degree holders
- 1,788 postgraduate diploma graduates
- 5,282 master’s degree holders
- 31 doctoral degree recipients
The ceremony also produced 57 First Class graduates, alongside 57 inmates who earned degrees through NOUN’s correctional education program
Education as a Tool for Rehabilitation and Inclusion
Tinubu praised NOUN’s collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service, describing it as a powerful example of education driven rehabilitation
He said providing inmates with access to education supports reintegration into society and reduces recidivism, calling it a “second chance initiative” for national development
Government Pushes Education Reform and Digital Expansion
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s education system through expanded access, technology integration, and funding support
He referenced initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and investments in STEM and medical education as part of broader reforms
NYSC Inclusion Call for NOUN Graduates
The Chancellor of NOUN, Oba Ewuare II, urged authorities to remove barriers preventing NOUN graduates from participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme
He argued that inclusion would further strengthen national unity and fairness in the education system
NOUN Unveils Five Year Digital Transformation Plan
Vice Chancellor Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma announced a 2026 to 2031 strategic plan aimed at making NOUN a global leader in open and distance learning.
Key Focus Areas
- Expansion of digital learning infrastructure
- Stronger research output
- Increased access to education nationwide
He revealed that NOUN now runs West Africa’s largest Moodle based learning system, serving over 180,000 active users and delivering more than 2,000 courses per semester
The university has also upgraded its infrastructure, including new academic buildings, laboratories, roads, and student facilities across study centers
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