NOUN-RETRIDOL Wins Global Smart Education Innovation Prize 2025

The National Open University of Nigeria - Regional Training Institute for Distance Open Learning (NOUN-RETRIDOL) has been awarded the prestigious Global Smart Education Innovation Prize 2025 for its outstanding contributions to Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) in West Africa. The award ceremony took place in Beijing, China, on August 21, 2025.

NOUN-RETRIDOL's innovative practices and contributions to smart education were recognized with the Practice Innovation Prize. The institute's efforts in advancing ODeL policy, research, and practice across West Africa have been deemed exemplary.

This recognition positions NOUN-RETRIDOL as a leading global institution in smart education, particularly in the Global South. The award highlights the institute's role as a continental hub for innovation in Open and Distance Learning and strengthens Africa's voice in global education dialogues.

The Global Smart Education Innovation Prize recognizes theoretical and practical innovations in smart education, including digital solutions, research, and technological advancements. NOUN-RETRIDOL's win underscores the global relevance of African innovation in education and demonstrates how locally driven solutions can address pressing global challenges in access, equity, and digital transformation.