…57 earn First Class as VC touts inclusion, reforms
By Chimezie Godfrey
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has announced that no fewer than 24,575 students, including 56 inmates in correctional centres across the country, will graduate at its 15th convocation ceremony.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, made the disclosure on Tuesday during a pre-convocation media briefing, describing the ceremony as a defining moment in the university’s history and a testament to its commitment to inclusive and flexible education.
He said the graduating students comprise 17,474 undergraduates, 1,788 Postgraduate Diploma holders, 5,282 Master’s graduates, and 31 doctoral recipients, with 57 graduating with First Class honours.
Uduma said the Faculty of Management Sciences recorded the highest number of graduates with 7,455, followed by Social Sciences with 6,024. Others are Health Sciences (3,939), Education (3,431), Computing (2,205), Science (943), Arts (452), Agricultural Sciences (120), and Law with six postgraduate graduates.
He noted that the university continues to contribute significantly to national development, particularly in healthcare, education, and digital innovation.
The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that female students account for 58.3 per cent of undergraduate graduates and nearly half of postgraduate and doctoral graduates.
A major highlight of the convocation, he said, is the graduation of 56 inmates benefiting from NOUN’s free education programme in correctional centres.
“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.
He described the initiative as a demonstration of the university’s belief in transformation, rehabilitation, and the power of education to restore dignity and hope.
The convocation lecture will hold on April 17, 2026, and will be delivered by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Godwin Agabi (SAN), on the theme “Nigeria Against Corruption,” while the main ceremony will take place on April 18 across various study centres nationwide.
Uduma said the decentralised nature of the ceremony reflects the institution’s philosophy of accessibility and inclusivity, adding that certificates would be issued immediately after the ceremony.
He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to strengthening open and distance learning, advancing digital transformation, expanding access, and improving academic quality and global competitiveness.
The Vice-Chancellor also assured that ongoing engagements with regulatory authorities would address concerns relating to Law graduates and National Youth Service Corps mobilisation.
He commended staff and media partners for their support and reiterated the university’s resolve to expand opportunities through education.
“This convocation is not just about awarding degrees; it is about celebrating resilience, inclusion, and the transformative power of knowledge,” he said.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director of Media and Publicity, Dr Ibrahim Sheme described the briefing as a significant milestone, marking the maiden press interaction hosted by the Vice-Chancellor since assuming office.
He said, “Today’s engagement is particularly significant. It marks the maiden press briefing hosted by our new Vice-Chancellor and his first formal interaction with members of the media who have consistently provided this institution with the visibility it deserves.”
He commended journalists for their professionalism, noting that the university values not just reportage, interviews, and features, but also the discipline of verification and restraint.
He noted that convocation remains a defining moment in the life of any university, representing both academic achievement and institutional progress, adding that this year’s ceremony is particularly significant as the first under the leadership of the current Vice-Chancellor.