Tinubu Directs Integration of NOUN Graduates into NYSC and Law School

President Bola Tinubu issued a directive on Wednesday for the inclusion of National Open University graduates into the National Youth Service Corps, highlighting the importance of adapting to the changing demographics of the nation. The directive, conveyed during the recent convocation ceremony of NOUN, tasks the Federal Ministry of Education with formulating the necessary modalities to enforce this integration.

Represented by Dr. Biodun Saliu, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, President Tinubu emphasized the significance of equal opportunities for NOUN graduates, announcing the opening of doors to the Law School. He urged the swift resolution of any remaining concerns by the Federal Ministry of Education to facilitate seamless implementation.

President Tinubu commended the role of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in expanding educational access, expressing his administration’s commitment to promoting this mode of education to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. He pledged government support, through the Federal Ministry of Education and the NUC, to provide an enabling environment for effective ODL delivery in Nigeria.

Acknowledging NOUN’s evolution from its initial conception to its current status as a provider of educational access, Tinubu underscored the need to enhance research efforts in technology to increase the admission of young school leavers. He encouraged NOUN’s engagement in postgraduate programs for government functionaries, aligning with ongoing transformative initiatives deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) across government operations. Additionally, Tinubu urged the World Bank-sponsored Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning to focus on research outcomes enhancing ICT tools for improved learning nationwide.