NOUN matriculates 23,885 students

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has matriculated 23,885 newly admitted students, with the vice chancellor, Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, declaring that Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is the future of higher education.

Acting Media and Publicity, NOUN, Omotola Ojudu, in a statement said Professor Uduma made the declaration on Wednesday at the university’s 31st matriculation ceremony, which took place virtually across its study centres nationwide.

The vice chancellor said the increasing adoption of ODL by conventional universities, coupled with the growing number of young Nigerians deliberately choosing NOUN, showed that the future of higher education was moving towards greater flexibility, accessibility, technology-driven learning and learner autonomy.

According to him, NOUN was established on the principle that geographical location, time, employment, family responsibilities, and other barriers should not determine access to quality university education.

The newly matriculated students comprise 17,471 undergraduates, 1,967 Postgraduate Diploma students, 4,333 Master’s students, 10 MPhil/PhD students, and 104 PhD candidates.

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Congratulating the students, Professor Uduma described their admission into the university as both an opportunity and a responsibility, urging them to pursue knowledge, competence, character, and integrity throughout their academic journey.

The vice chancellor also highlighted what he described as a significant demographic shift within NOUN, noting that increasing numbers of young Nigerians were choosing the institution because of its flexibility, technological orientation and ability to accommodate learning alongside work and other life commitments.

He urged the new students to take full advantage of the opportunities available to them by participating actively in facilitation classes, completing their Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs), utilising the Learning Management System (LMS) and seeking assistance whenever necessary.