The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has been described as a foremost institution for the provision of quality and comprehensive education for the citizens of this great country.
Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Honourable Justice Mahmud Mohammed (GCON), made the declaration at the fourth annual lecture in honour of the CJN, entitled: “Law as an instrument of Excellence and integrity,” organised by the NOUN School of Law, in Abuja.
The CJN added that NOUN, which was resuscitated in 2001 by the Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration, was designed to provide unrestricted tertiary education to Nigerians, saying “I know it’s a fact that the National Open University of Nigeria was initially established on the July 22, 1983, as a medium for open and distance learning in Nigeria. Although, it was suspended by the government on April 24, 1984, it was resuscitated on the April 12, 2001 by the former President Obasanjo, with the sole mission of providing qualitative, affordable distance learning.
“The success story (of NOUN) lies in testimonies of its astuteness, past and present. Indeed, for our dear citizens, the university is now an indispensable tool for achieving educational empowerment,” the CJN added.
Justice Mohammed also added that NOUN, being the biggest institution in the country with its unique mode of education delivery, was providing unrestricted access to educating prisoners, artisans, house wives and other underprivileged Nigerians.
“With over 408,000 students, it is Nigeria’s largest single tertiary institution offering over 50 programmes and 507 courses. It is, indeed, laudable, from prisoners to full time artisans, and even housewives in Nigeria, NOUN’s unique model now allows all to simply combine their daily work and routine with flexible school schedule.”
Justice Mohammed further stated that ‘‘this year’s lecture provides a special avenue to bridge the divide in order to dialogue on issues that binds us all.
“This further relates me to the fact that the role of NOUN is crucial to the fulfilment of improved education for all persons in Nigeria, irrespective of our desired background.”
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Vicent Ado Tenebe, said, “the NOUN School of Law was one of the units approved by the Federal Ministry of Education through the National universities commission (NUC) in 2003.
‘‘Thereafter we produced the detailed programme proposal in line with the NUC BMAS. This is what other universities use all over Nigeria. Our students receive lectures and we have first class course materials prepared by seasoned academics and professionals in Law and Legal Studies.”
