NOUN Vice-Chancellor Warns Against Reducing Universities to "Certification Centres

The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, has issued a compelling call to action for stakeholders in the Nigerian higher education sector, asserting that universities must reclaim their roles as intellectual sanctuaries rather than mere "factories for certificates."

Speaking at a recent academic forum, Professor Uduma emphasized that the core mission of a university is the pursuit of truth, critical thinking, and character development.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed concern over a growing trend where the value of a university education is measured solely by the acquisition of a diploma.

A Community of Truth: He argued that a university should be a "community of scholars" dedicated to research and the unbiased inquiry into knowledge.

Critical Thinking: Prof. Uduma stressed that students must be equipped with the ability to question, analyze, and innovate, rather than just memorizing information for examinations.

Intellectual Honesty: He maintained that academic integrity and moral character are as essential as the technical skills recorded on a transcript.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, a degree should serve as a formal validation of a profound internal transformation. "A university is not a certification centre," he stated. "It is an environment where the mind is sharpened and the soul is refined for the benefit of society."

Prof. Uduma urged university administrators and faculty members across the country to prioritize quality-assured research and intellectual rigour. He noted that for Nigerian universities to remain competitive globally, they must move beyond "diploma-milling" and focus on producing graduates who can solve complex societal problems through critical reasoning.