Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has affirmed that the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is not inferior to any other university in the country. Obasanjo made this statement during a courtesy visit and alumni award presentation by officials of NOUN at his residence.
Obasanjo, who is also an alumnus of the institution, emphasized that his personal academic experience with NOUN is proof of the institution’s academic credibility and quality.
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“Some people said Open University is inferior. I said, let me go there and have a taste of what they are calling inferior. I came in, I saw, and I conquered,” the former president said.
Obasanjo completed a PhD at NOUN, supervised by two distinguished academic professors. He used his experience to challenge misconceptions about distance learning in Nigeria, stating that if his doctorate is not inferior, then neither is the university’s standard.
Why NOUN Matters in Nigeria’s Education Landscape
- Obasanjo reflected on the history of higher education in Nigeria, pointing out that for about a decade, the University of Ibadan was the only university in the country. He explained that even with the introduction of second-generation federal and state universities, and later private universities, the demand for higher education continued to outweigh the available supply.
“Despite the availability of universities, we’re still not coping. The gaps kept getting wider, which was why I said the Open University is a necessity,” he said.
“It created more avenues and made it convenient for working-class citizens and lifelong learners.”
The former president emphasized that NOUN has provided access to education for over half a million Nigerians and continues to grow, playing a critical role in expanding access to quality tertiary education.
NOUN: A Pan-African Educational Force
Prof. Ganiyat Adesina-Uthman, Director of the Directorate of Advancement and Linkages (DAL) at NOUN, described the university as a pioneer institution in Africa and one of the largest of its kind on the continent.
“NOUN is not just a federal university; it is Africa’s largest open university. It supports human capital development and aims to meet global standards for manpower in a knowledge-driven economy,” she said.
She called on Obasanjo to support student scholarship programmes, including flagship programmes such as:
- Entrepreneurship Studies
- Criminology and Security Studies
- Mass Communication
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- Support for Indigenous Students
- Adesina-Uthman also outlined critical infrastructure needs at the university, including:
- A university hospital
- A 1000-capacity auditorium
- A 50-room guest house
- Naming rights for buildings funded by donors
- Community outreach support, such as:
- Customized textbooks and uniforms for local schools
- Toilets, water, and bus stops for the study centre communities
Obasanjo Urged to Drive Research Collaborations
Also speaking at the event, Prof. Wilfred Ngwuanyi, Director of the Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for African Studies, praised the former president’s dedication to African progress and intellectual development.
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Ngwuanyi appealed for Obasanjo’s help in securing partnerships with the EFCC for research and support from the Chinese Embassy for a proposed Chinese Cultural Centre at NOUN.
Award Highlight
The visit concluded with the conferment of the Alumni Award of Honour to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo by NOUN officials in recognition of his achievements and contributions to the university.
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