Prof.Peters
Protocols
Dear Matriculating Students,
On behalf of the Governing Council, Senate and Management of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), I welcome you to this 23rd Matriculation ceremony of our institution.
I congratulate you for your success in navigating our modern, online admission and registration processes which has added over 16,000 new learners to our University today. This comprises 11,851 undergraduates and 4,808 postgraduate students in various faculties, as noted below.
By so doing, you are privileged to join the over 150,000 returning students of the University. I am indeed glad to inform you that this is the largest community of Open and Distance Learning in higher education, in West Africa.
The National Open University of Nigeria is the only accredited single mode Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution in Nigeria. It was established by the enabling Act No 6, 1983 CAP N63 and is situated at The University Village, Plot 91, Cadastral Zone, Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Jabi, Abuja. In order to fulfill our mandate of equal access for all Nigerians and bring quality education within your reach (as we say, to take the Gown to the Town), we operate from three campuses (in Lagos, Abuja and Kaduna) and over 108 study centres across the country. It is a proof of our commitment to equity for the teeming population of Nigerians that seek to gain access to University education for better prospects and self actualisation.
As the name of the University suggests, our openness means that the mode of teaching and service delivery is not restricted by the barriers of distance and location, or the bias of race and creed. Our University uses modern and emerging technologies to impart knowledge to students. To study, you will require some basic ICT skills. With an internet enabled computer (and in some instances, a smart phone), you will have online access to our study materials, instructional videos, tutorials, e-library resources and facilitation class rooms. At our study centres, you will have access to professional counselors, physical facilitation rooms and library facilities.
This flexibility and access to study materials and learning aids is a unique attribute of our University which ensures equity in the right to education for all. In essence, you will be able to learn at your pace and at any place. I must emphasis that this puts your fate in your hands. You will be required to dedicate yourself to timely and appropriate use of our learning materials and teaching aids which are available at the study centre of your choice.
Should you come across difficulties and challenges in the University, we have assembled dedicated teams of counselors, professional Open and Distance Learning administrators, academics and facilitators across our 108 study centres in Nigeria, to attend to your concerns. During the last academic session, we successfully deployed an e-ticketing feedback system to resolve complaints that you may have during the course of your studies. This and other service delivery applications, including the simplified assessment processes (tutorials, tests and examinations) will make your study at NOUN a most rewarding educational experience.
Due to the special mode of teaching and learning at the National Open University of Nigeria, our graduates are usually the focus of exceptional interests from people that are eager to determine the quality of training received whilst studying with us. As our Ambassadors therefore, I expect you to be well behaved and to demonstrate at all times, to your family members, friends and associates, that NOUN offers quality education delivered with equality and flexible access, which makes it possible to learn at your pace and at any place,
Our country needs your resourcefulness to excel in the competitive world of today. It is my steadfast desire that you will acquire at this University, appropriate knowledge and skills, as well as the requisite strength of character and tenacity to sail through the challenges of a modern world of global competition. This will enable you to contribute meaningfully in the elevation of Nigeria to its deserved place of greatness in Africa and the world.
Finally, I congratulate you once again. God bless you all.
Professor Olufemi Peters
Vice-Chancellor.
