The sun rose gently over National open university, casting a warm golden hue across the sprawling campus all over Nigeria. It was a day of celebration, a day that marked the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and dreams for the graduating class of 2024/2025. The university was buzzing with excitement as students, faculty, and families gathered for the 14th convocation ceremony.
As the clock struck ten, the grand auditorium filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter. Banners adorned with the university’s emblem fluttered in the soft breeze, while flowers in vibrant colors decorated the stage. The atmosphere was electric, a blend of anticipation and nostalgia. Graduates donned their caps and gowns, each one a symbol of their journey through the challenges and triumphs of university life.
Among the graduates was Mogaji Omotola, a bright and ambitious student who had spent the last four years pursuing a degree in Mass Communication. She had always dreamed of making a difference in the world, and today was a significant step toward that goal. As she adjusted her cap, she glanced at her friends, each of them sharing a mix of excitement and anxiety about what lay ahead.
The ceremony commenced with the students performing a stirring rendition of the school anthem, their voices harmonizing beautifully in the acoustically perfect auditorium across all the study centers.
The Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Olufemi Peters, has described the institution as a transformative force in higher education, not only in Nigeria but beyond its borders.
Speaking at the 14th Convocation Ceremony held in Abuja on Saturday, Prof. Peters highlighted the university’s significant strides in advancing education over the years.
He noted the institution’s impressive growth since 2003, from an initial student population of 1,230 to over 133,000 active learners spread across 120 study centres nationwide, including centres within correctional facilities.
According to him, NOUN has recorded remarkable achievements since its last convocation in 2024, including its full transition to an online university, the implementation of digital transformation initiatives, and several accreditation milestones.
The Vice Chancellor further announced the conferment of honorary degrees to two distinguished Nigerians: Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Tajudeen Abass, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank.
I congratulate Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina on this well-deserved honour,” Prof. Peters stated.
He commended TETFund for its pivotal role in supporting the university’s infrastructure and e-learning development.
In his remarks, NOUN’s Pro-Chancellor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, emphasized the value of open and distance learning in expanding access to education across Nigeria. He stressed the need for improved infrastructure at the university’s study centres, which he described as “a university of its own.”
The 14th convocation of National Open University was not just a celebration of academic achievement; it was a testament to the resilience and spirit of the graduating class.
