NOUN gives hope to admission seekers

With 141 public and private conventional universities, comprising 40 Federal, 40 state-owned and 61 private universities, gaining admission is still a daunting challenge for youths. The universities have not been able to cater for their educational needs.

However, Prof Vincent Tenebe, the Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), said now is the time for admission seekers to embrace Open and Distance Learning (ODL) education offered by NOUN.

Unlike conventional universities, Tenebe said NOUN is not encumbered by space and can admit much more than others.

He said: “Since we cannot admit everybody in the conventional university, the Open University provides the only option for us to get all those who are qualified and are willing to acquire university education to get admission and it is a thing of joy to know that we can produce graduates who are part of the conventional system.

“Not only can conventional universities not admit more than 500,000 students, the carrying capacity of these universities is always stretched. NOUN can admit one million students, and they will get the same quality education. Any student graduating from NOUN will be graduating at par with students of other universities across Nigeria.”

Tenebe also said the university leadership has sealed an agreement with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to henceforth issue admission letters to every NOUN graduate eligible for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme after the payment of prescribed fees by NOUN.

The implication is that with effect from the next academic session, NOUN graduates below age 30 would partake in the NYSC programme.

To reach all parts of Nigeria, Tenebe said NOUN plans to have a study centre in each of the 774 local government areas of the country in the next 15 years.

“NOUN is more concerned about all Nigerians, especially those in the rural areas; those boys and girls on the streets who have necessary academic qualifications for university admission,” he said.

The Federal Government under leadership of former President, Shehu Shagari launched the idea of NOUN on July 22, 1983. Successive administrations made little or no efforts to strengthen open and distance learning, until the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. He urged Nigerians to embrace the institution.