Sophia Michaels
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has given an order to the Federal Ministry of Education to include National Open University (NOUN) graduates in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
He said those within the service age bracket should be allowed by the law to serve the country.
The president gave the directive during his presentation at the 13th convocation ceremony of the university on Saturday, April 13, 2024. at the University’s Convocation Arena, Jabi, Abuja.
Represented by Biodun Saliu, Deputy Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), President Tinubu also disclosed the resolution of the longstanding issue regarding the admittance of NOUN law graduates to law schools in the country.
“With the changing demographics of our great nation, the government has recognised the importance of allowing NOUN graduates to participate in the NYSC scheme.
The president noted that the gathering was not just a celebration of the graduates’ academic successes but also highlighted the crucial role that Open and Distance Education (ODL) has in shaping the nation’s educational framework.
He therefore affirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing ODL to expand access to higher education across the nation, emphasizing that the utilization of ODL is essential for meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We will continue to do this in order to improve quality, access and affordability.
“Government is, therefore, committed through the Federal Ministry of Education and the NUC to provide the enabling environment to ensure a good delivery of this mode of education in Nigeria,” Tinubu added.
He acknowledged the challenge that many school leavers face in gaining admission to traditional universities and emphasized the necessity for enhanced research in technology at NOUN to accommodate more young school leavers and improve social safety nets for the people.
The president was pleased to note that NOUN has become a central figure in advancing the government’s commitment to achieving educational goals through ICT.
