NOUN Welcomes 23,885 New Students at Matriculation Ceremony

On October 7, 2026, the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) held its 31st Matriculation Ceremony, where it welcomed 23,885 newly admitted students. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, stated that Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is the future of higher education.

The new students include 17,471 undergraduates, 1,967 Postgraduate Diploma students, 4,333 Master’s students, 10 MPhil/PhD students, and 104 PhD candidates. Prof. Uduma highlighted the increasing adoption of ODL by conventional universities, indicating a shift towards more flexible and accessible education.

He reaffirmed NOUN's commitment to providing quality education regardless of geographical location, time, or personal responsibilities. He described admission to the university as a privilege and a responsibility, urging students to pursue knowledge and integrity.

Prof. Uduma noted that NOUN's long-standing experience in ODL gives it an advantage as other institutions begin to adopt similar educational models.