By Chimezie Godfrey
Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma has assumed office as the new Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, unveiling six priority areas for his administration.
He identified the priorities as strengthening study centres, enhancing learner support, improving ICT infrastructure, ensuring credible e-examinations, promoting staff welfare, and sustaining quality assurance.
Uduma spoke at a handover ceremony in Abuja where he took over from Prof. Olufemi Ayinde Peters.
The event marked the beginning of his five-year tenure as the sixth Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
His appointment had earlier been announced by the Pro-Chancellor, Malam Isa Yuguda, in October 2025.
In his inaugural speech titled “Rising to Build: Stewardship, Access, and Excellence for a New NOUN Era,” Uduma described his appointment as a “solemn national trust.”
“Leadership is not ornamental; it is functional. It is not a posture of arrival, but a posture of responsibility,” he said.
He reaffirmed NOUN’s commitment to expanding access to quality education across social and geographic barriers.
Recalling his experience as Director of the Abakaliki Study Centre, he said he is well positioned to improve study centres nationwide.
“I come into this office not to experiment, but to build,” he added.
Uduma stressed the need for unity among stakeholders and continuity in governance.
He also called on the university community to “rise up and build” in pursuit of academic excellence.
He paid tribute to Prof. Peters, describing the leadership transition as “a relay, not a rupture.”
In his farewell address, Peters thanked the university community for its support during his tenure.
“I am profoundly grateful to God Almighty… God has been good to Femi Peters,” he said.
Earlier, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana commended the outgoing VC for strengthening NOUN’s ODL profile.
Registrar Oladipo Ajayi welcomed Uduma, expressing confidence in his leadership.