Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged sweeping reforms at the National Open University of Nigeria, calling for the immediate reinstatement of its suspended Law programme and deeper integration of artificial intelligence into academic delivery.
Obasanjo made the appeal in Abeokuta while receiving the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Uduma Uduma, alongside members of the university’s management team. He stressed that the institution must modernise and expand access to quality education in order to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving digital and knowledge economy.
According to the former president, restoring the Law programme is critical to widening educational opportunities for Nigerians seeking flexible pathways into legal education. The programme had previously been suspended, a decision that sparked debate within academic and professional circles.
Obasanjo also emphasised the need for innovation and technology-driven learning, urging the university to embed artificial intelligence more deeply into its academic framework. He argued that open and distance learning institutions must harness digital tools to improve teaching efficiency, broaden student engagement, and align with global best practices.
“I urge the university’s leadership to prioritise modernisation and expand access to quality education,” he said, highlighting the role of NOUN in bridging Nigeria’s education gap through flexible learning models.
The university’s immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Olufemi Peters, noted that NOUN has already made significant progress in integrating AI into its academic operations. He added that the innovation drive had attracted recognition from international educational bodies, signalling growing confidence in the institution’s digital transformation.
Peters also disclosed that NOUN currently has about 300,000 registered students, with approximately 190,000 actively engaged in studies. He attributed the disparity to varying levels of participation, underscoring the need for sustained efforts to enhance student engagement and retention.
Expressing optimism in the new leadership, Peters stated that ongoing reform initiatives would continue under Uduma’s stewardship. The incoming vice-chancellor pledged to prioritise the revival of the Law programme and consolidate institutional reforms aimed at strengthening academic standards and administrative efficiency.
During his visit to the university’s Abeokuta Study Centre, Uduma toured the facilities and engaged with staff on strategies to enhance learning infrastructure and student services.
NOUN, Nigeria’s flagship open and distance learning institution, has in recent years expanded its digital infrastructure to widen access to tertiary education and align with global trends in online education. Proponents argue that strengthening these efforts will not only increase enrolment but also equip students with skills relevant to the modern economy.
As calls for reform grow, stakeholders insist that the future of higher education in Nigeria depends on innovation, inclusivity, and responsive governance within institutions like NOUN.