By John Moses
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has praised the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) for its pivotal role in widening access to higher education, insisting the institution offers quality learning equal to that of conventional universities.
Obasanjo, who welcomed NOUN representatives for an alumni award ceremony, described the distance-learning university as a solution to Nigeria’s chronic higher education deficit. Drawing from his own academic journey at NOUN, the elder statesman dismissed claims of inferiority.
“There were doubts about the quality of open university education. I decided to test it myself. I studied, earned my PhD, and I can confidently say there is no academic disparity,” he said.
He reflected on the history of higher education in Nigeria, noting that despite the expansion from one to hundreds of universities across public and private sectors, demand for quality education still far exceeds supply. The open university, he said, fills this critical void.
Professor Ganiyat Adesina-Uthman, who leads the Directorate of Advancement and Linkages at NOUN, underscored the university’s standing as the largest in Africa, designed to support national and regional human capital development.
Adesina-Uthman called on Obasanjo to support a number of strategic initiatives, including scholarships in key disciplines like Peace Studies, Criminology, and Mass Communication. She also proposed renaming buildings after key benefactors and called for infrastructure projects such as a guest lodge and a university hospital.
“We are working to bridge not only academic gaps but also to support the communities hosting our study centres. We aim to provide essential learning tools, sanitation, and even transportation amenities,” she said.
Professor Wilfred Ngwuanyi, director of NOUN’s Obasanjo Centre for African Studies, lauded the former president’s contributions to Pan-Africanism and urged his support in forging research collaborations with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Chinese Embassy.
The occasion culminated in the presentation of an Alumni Award to Obasanjo, recognising his educational advocacy and contributions to national development.
