NOUN to graduate 24,575 students, 56 prison inmates

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has announced that a total of 24,575 students, including 56 inmates from correctional centres nationwide, will graduate at its 15th convocation ceremony.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, disclosed this on Tuesday during a pre-convocation media briefing, describing the upcoming ceremony as a defining moment in the institution’s history and a reflection of its commitment to inclusive and flexible education.

He said the graduating cohort comprises 17,474 undergraduates, 1,788 Postgraduate Diploma holders, 5,282 Master’s graduates, and 31 doctoral recipients. Among them, 57 students will graduate with First Class honours across various disciplines.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the Faculty of Management Sciences produced the highest number of graduates with 7,455, followed by the Faculty of Social Sciences with 6,024. Other faculties include Health Sciences with 3,939 graduates, Education with 3,431, Computing with 2,205, Science with 943, Arts with 452, Agricultural Sciences with 120, and Law with six postgraduate graduates.

Uduma highlighted the university’s significant contribution to national development, particularly in healthcare, education, and digital innovation, noting that the high number of graduates in Nursing Science and Computing reflects responsiveness to critical national needs.

He also emphasised the institution’s progress in gender inclusion, revealing that female students make up 58.3 per cent of undergraduate graduates and nearly half of postgraduate and doctoral graduates, signalling increased access and sustained academic progression for women.

He noted that a major highlight of the convocation is the graduation of 56 inmates, beneficiaries of NOUN’s free education programme in correctional centres.

The Vice-Chancellor described the initiative as a demonstration of the university’s belief in transformation, rehabilitation, and the power of education to restore dignity and hope.

“As an institution, we are committed to ensuring that no segment of society is left behind. Education remains a tool for rebuilding lives and reintegrating individuals into society,” he said.

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The convocation lecture is scheduled for April 17, 2026, to be delivered by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Godwin Agabi (SAN), on the theme “Nigeria Against Corruption,” while the main convocation ceremony will hold on April 18 across various study centres nationwide.

Uduma explained that the decentralised nature of the ceremony reflects NOUN’s philosophy of accessibility and inclusivity, adding that certificates will be issued immediately after the ceremony, marking a shift towards greater institutional efficiency.

He reaffirmed the university’s strategic direction under his leadership, focusing on strengthening open and distance learning, deepening digital transformation, expanding access, and enhancing academic quality and global competitiveness.

The Vice-Chancellor also assured stakeholders that ongoing engagements with regulatory bodies would address concerns regarding Law graduates and National Youth Service Corps mobilisation.

He commended staff and media partners for their contributions to the university’s growth and visibility, stressing that NOUN remains committed to expanding opportunities and shaping the future through education.

“This convocation is not just about awarding degrees; it is about celebrating resilience, inclusion, and the transformative power of knowledge,” he said.