President Bola Tinubu has instructed the inclusion of National Open University graduates in the National Youth Service Corps. He has tasked the Federal Ministry of Education to develop the required procedures to implement this directive.
This directive was disclosed in a statement on the NOUN website, as observed by a correspondent in Abuja on Wednesday.
In acknowledgement of the evolving demographics of the nation, the government acknowledges the importance of allowing NOUN graduates to engage in the NYSC scheme,” he stated.
During NOUN’s recent convocation ceremony, the President, represented by Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission Dr. Biodun Saliu, announced that the Law School is now open to graduates to ensure equal opportunities for all. Any remaining concerns should be addressed promptly by the Federal Ministry of Education.
The President highlighted that the convocation not only celebrated academic accomplishments but also emphasized the vital role of Open and Distance Education in the country’s educational system.
Tinubu affirmed his administration’s dedication to promoting Open and Distance Learning to enhance higher education access in the country, emphasizing its significance in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
He reiterated the government’s commitment, through the Federal Ministry of Education and NUC, to provide a conducive environment for effective delivery of this education mode in Nigeria.
Expressing enthusiasm for the university’s transformation from its original purpose of providing education for the working class to now catering to the youth population, Tinubu stressed the need for enhanced research efforts in technology to increase NOUN’s admission of young students.
Tinubu praised NOUN for driving the government’s educational objectives through ICT and urged the university to admit qualified government officials to its postgraduate programs to align with the government’s AI-driven initiatives across ministries and agencies for improved decision-making.
He also charged the World Bank-sponsored Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning at NOUN to focus on research that enhances ICT tools for better learning outcomes in Nigeria.