The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has matriculated 23,344 new students in various undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes.
A press statement released yesterday by Ibrahim Sheme
The director of media and Publicity at NOUN said the ceremony was held virtually and at various NOUN study centres nationwide.
Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof Olufemi Peters, who spoke at the 27th matriculation ceremony, stated that the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) model remains the future of education globally.
The vice-chancellor explained ODL‘s transformative power and highlighted its exceptional ability to bridge the access to the education gap.
Peters reiterated NOUN‘s commitment to revolutionising education in Nigeria, describing ODL as the future of education, especially in a world increasingly driven by digital innovation and the need for flexible learning models.
He said: “Our mode of education empowers students to learn at their own pace, balancing education with work and family responsibilities.
“NOUN is bridging the gap in access to quality higher education, ensuring inclusivity for all Nigerians, regardless of age, location, or circumstance.”
He broke down the 23,344 new students across the nine faculties: 18,106 enrolled for undergraduate programmes and 5,196 for postgraduate programmes.
Peters added that MPhil has 10 and 32 PhD students.
He also emphasised that NOUN‘s model of ODL stands out from traditional university systems, saying, „Unlike regular universities, ODL provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing students to balance education with work and other life commitments.“
Peters noted that NOUN is not just about accessibility but quality, with its programmes rigorously accredited and highly employable graduates.
The VC also shared that NOUN is recognised as a leader in ODL in West Africa, boasting the highest enrollment numbers in the region.
Our model has shown that education can transcend geographical barriers, making learning a right and not a privilege,“ he said.
