Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for comprehensive reforms at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), including the restoration of its Law programme, expansion of student enrolment, and full integration of artificial intelligence into academic operations.
The call was made on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during a meeting with the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uduma Orji Uduma, and his management team, according to a statement on Saturday by NOUN’s Director of Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Sheme.
Obasanjo emphasised the need for innovation and technological advancement in Nigeria’s open and distance learning system, urging the new leadership to modernise the university and broaden access to quality higher education. He highlighted the Law programme as critical for expanding professional education opportunities in the country.
Speaking on the university’s progress, immediate past Vice-Chancellor Professor Olufemi A. Peters noted that NOUN has made significant strides in embedding artificial intelligence into its curriculum, earning recognition from international educational bodies. Peters also disclosed that the university has around 300,000 registered students, with approximately 190,000 actively participating in academic activities.
Professor Uduma pledged to prioritise the revival of the Law programme while consolidating ongoing reforms to enhance NOUN’s academic offerings and global competitiveness. He also expressed gratitude to Obasanjo for his continued support of the university.
Following the meeting, Professor Uduma toured NOUN’s Abeokuta Study Centre, where he was received by Centre Director Oyekunle Adegboyega, who led him and his team on a tour of the facility’s offices.
