President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the heads of education agencies to uphold government resolutions aimed at protecting the education sector’s integrity. Speaking at the 14th convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized that the academic system’s integrity must not be compromised.
Crackdown on Illegal Institutions
The President directed the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and other agencies to clamp down on illegal tertiary institutions operating in the country. He stressed that these institutions have no place in the education ecosystem, and their activities must be permanently halted.
Tinubu noted that agencies like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), NUC, NBTE, and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) are working together to improve education quality and eliminate fraudulent institutions.
The President also tasked NOUN’s management to develop a comprehensive roadmap for transitioning into a fully online university, leveraging its expertise in open and distance learning. This move aims to enhance accessibility, flexibility, and overall education quality. Tinubu assured that his administration would provide necessary support for the project.
During the convocation ceremony, 17,420 students graduated, including 10,967 undergraduates and 6,413 postgraduates. The university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, highlighted NOUN’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, noting its unique convocation ceremonies that reflect its innovative approach to education.