Obasanjo Advocates Reform at NOUN, Urges Reinstatement of Law Programme

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for a strategic overhaul of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), specifically advocating for the restoration of its Law programme and the aggressive integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its curriculum.

The former President made these remarks on Friday at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during a courtesy visit by the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uduma Orji Uduma, and the institution’s management team.

Focus on Innovation and Legal Education

Obasanjo emphasized that for NOUN to remain competitive and fulfill its mandate, it must prioritize modernization through technology. He specifically challenged the leadership to resolve pending issues surrounding the Law programme to ensure students can once again pursue legal education through the open and distance learning (ODL) platform.

"The university must prioritize innovation and expand access to quality education to meet global standards," Obasanjo stated, adding that advancements in AI are no longer optional but essential for academic growth.

Current Progress and Student Enrolment

The immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olufemi A. Peters, briefed the former President on the institution's recent milestones. He revealed that NOUN has already commenced the integration of AI into its academic content, a move that has garnered international recognition.

Addressing student demographics, Professor Peters disclosed:

Total Registered Students: 300,000

Active Students: 190,000

He explained that the disparity in figures reflects the flexible nature of the ODL system, where participation levels vary among the student body.

The New Leadership’s Vision

In his inaugural remarks, the new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uduma Orji Uduma, expressed his commitment to building on the foundation of his predecessors. He pledged to make the revival of the Law programme a top priority and to strengthen the university's reform initiatives.

"We are committed to sustaining innovation and advancing the institutional development of NOUN," Professor Uduma said, while expressing gratitude to Chief Obasanjo for his unwavering support of the institution.

Following the visit, the Vice-Chancellor’s team toured the Abeokuta Study Centre, led by Centre Director Oyekunle Adegboyega, to assess the facility’s operational readiness under the new administration.