National Open University of Nigeria

Open and distance learning university

National Open University of Nigeria

National Open University of Nigeria, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Motto| Learn At Any Place
At Your Pace
Type| Public
Established| 2002[1] (1983)
Vice-Chancellor| Prof. Olufemi A. Peters[2]
Students| 515,000[3]
Location|

Abuja

Nigeria

Campus| Rural
Colours| Elf green, cadmium yellow & ruby red

Nickname| NOUN
Affiliations| AAU,
NUC
Website| www.nou.edu.ng
Student Portal

The National Open University of Nigeria is a federal open and distance learning (ODL) institution, the first of its kind in the West African sub-region. It is Nigeria's largest tertiary institution in terms of student numbers, and is popularly referred to as NOUN.

## History

[edit]

National Open University of Nigeria Headquarters in Abuja

The university was initially established on 22 July 1983 as springboard for open and distance learning in Nigeria. It was suspended by the government on 25 April 1984.[4] However, its resuscitation was begun on 12 April 2001 by the former President of Nigeria, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo. At take off of the university, pioneer student enrollment stood at 32,400.[5]

## Organisation

[edit]

In 2011, NOUN had about 57,759 students.[6] The Vice Chancellor at the time was Prof. Vincent Tenebe.[2] The university for years operated from its administrative headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos, before vice chancellor Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, moved it to its permanent headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, in 2016. The current Vice Chancellor is Prof. Olufemi Peters.[7] It has over 75 study centres throughout the country.[5] It offers over 50 programmes and 750 courses.[5]

By its nature as an ODL institution, NOUN does not provide lectures to students in normal classrooms except some certain study centres. The study centre in Lagos for instance provides lectures to all the law undergraduates and supplies course materials to all students after the payment of tuition fees. All courses offered by the university are accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The registrar serves as the secretary to council and senate bodies. The registry department's primary responsibility is to provide support services for the general administration of the university with emphasis on council affairs, senate matters, recruitment of staff, student admission and welfare, staff welfare and related activities. The current registrar is Mr. Oladapo Adetayo Ajayi.

## Faculties

[edit]

1. Faculty of Agricultural Sciences[8]
2. Faculty of Law[9]
3. Faculty of Arts[10]
4. Faculty of Management sciences[11]
5. Faculty of Education[12]
6. Faculty of Science[13]
7. Faculty of Health Science[14]
8. Faculty of Social Science[15]

## List of Departments and degree programmes

[edit]

1. Agricultural Economics and Extension[16]
2. Hotel and Tourism Management – HTM
3. Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness – AEA
4. Agricultural Extension and Rural Development – ARD
5. Animal Science and Fisheries.[17]
6. Crop Science
7. Soil Science
8. Computer science[18]
9. environmental Science[19]
10. Mathematics [20]
11. Criminology and Security Studies[21]
12. Physics[22]
13. Chemistry [19]
14. Biology [23]
15. English[24]
16. Linguistics, Foreign and Nigerian Languages[25]
17. Philosophy[26]
18. Religious Studies[27]
19. Educational Foundations Science Education[28]
20. Arts and Social Science Education (ASSE)[29]
21. Political Science[30]
22. Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution[31]
23. Development Studies[32]
24. Health and Human Kinetic [33]
25. Education Foundation[34]
26. Library and Information Science[35]
27. English
28. Department of Linguistics
29. Foreign and Nigerian Languages
30. Department of Philosophy
31. Department of Religious Studies
32. Nursing (B.Nsc)[22][20][19]

## Students

[edit]

### Requirements

[edit]

Students from all walks of life attend the university, similar to other Open Universities such as the Open University in the United Kingdom. For most courses there are no stringent entry requirements other than the ability to study at an appropriate level such as the West African Examination, and other national diplomas to qualify for direct entry admission. Most postgraduate courses require evidence of previous study or equivalent life experience. This open admissions policy makes undergraduate university study accessible to all.[36]

### Undergraduates

[edit]

While most of those studying are mature students, an increasingly large proportion of new undergraduates are aged between 17 and 25. The reduction in financial support for those attending traditional universities, coupled with the use of sites such as YouTube and Khan Academy that appeal to this demographic, is believed to be behind this growth.[37]

### School of Postgraduate Studies

[edit]

The school seeks to address Nigeria's increasing need for highly specialized knowledge and skill development in order to help the country contribute to the worldwide knowledge economy.[38]

### Immunity to strikes

[edit]

The Act of Parliament which established the university prohibits any form of union for staff or for students. This has made the university unaffected by strikes such as the ASUU strikes (which lasted for eight months), which have the effect of extending the duration of students' studies.[39]

### National Youths Service Corps

[edit]

The NOUN has made efforts to ensure its graduates below age 30 (the maximum age limit) participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).[40][41]

## Notable alumni

[edit]

* Beverly Osu, actress, model and video vixen
* Bisola Aiyeola, actress
* Ini Edo,actress
* Olusegun Obasanjo,former president ofthe federal republic of nigeria
* Innocent Chukwuma, founder and CEO of innoson vehicle manufacturing

## Technological platforms

[edit]

Media centre building

The E-Learn portal provides students with access to the university's learning resources, including:

* Online class discussions organized by NOUN facilitators, creating a virtual classroom environment.
* Academic support for students
* Social networking and collaboration tools to facilitate interactions among students, facilitators, academic staff and faculty members.
* Study tools such as the digitized video and audio materials
* Access to assignments, quizzes and self-study assessment tools[42]

## Examination

[edit]

The university uses computer-based test (CBT) for first and second year students, except for law undergraduates who sit conventional pen-on-paper (POP) from their first year of admission. POP examinations are used for all students after the second year, and for postgraduate students.

The CBT examinations have two formats: multiple choice questions and fill in the gap questions. The Computer Base Test (CBT) system been criticised by some students, who say that the system requires students memorize their textbooks and produce answers that match those stored on the school's computers.[43]

### Assessment

[edit]

Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) are continuous assessments(C.A) that accounts for 30% of a student's total score. Students are expected to answer all TMAs, which must be answered and submitted before students sit for the end of course examination. The end of course examinations account for the other 70% of a student's score.

## Facilities

[edit]

### E-library

[edit]

The NOUN has an e-library at the headquarters situated at Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria which all students have access to after providing a valid student's identity card. Students have access to the internet, books, journals, projects, theses of past students and other educational materials.

### Radio station

[edit]

The NOUN 105.9 FM radio station[44] broadcasts on workdays and provides opportunities for Mass Communication students.[citation needed]

## Scholarships

[edit]

In May 2014, the Nollywood movie star Ini Edo was offered a scholarship to study law at the university. Other actresses and actors including Desmond Elliot[45] have also been offered scholarships. Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha, Francis Duru, Doris Simeon and Sani Danja were announced as ambassadors for the NOUN. All four were presented by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Vincent A. Tenebe, with scholarships to study their courses of choice.[46]

## Past vice chancellors

[edit]

* Olugbemiro Jegede[47]
* Vincent Ado Tenebe[48]

## See also

[edit]

* Education in Nigeria
* List of universities in Nigeria

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "National Open University of Nigeria - WHED - IAU's World Higher Education Database". www.whed.net. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
2. ^ a b "Principal Officers - National Open University of Nigeria". www.nou.edu.ng. Archived from the original on 25 September 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
3. ^ ="https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/297622-enrolment-at-nigerias-national-open-university-hits-515000.html
4. ^ "Historical Background of NOUN | NOUN". nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
5. ^ a b c "National Open University of Nigeria - WHED - IAU's World Higher Education Database". www.whed.net. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
6. ^ COMMITTEE ON NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF NIGERIAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES Presentation to the Council Chamber State House, Abuja Thursday 1 November 2012
7. ^ www.premiumtimesng.com https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/429366-national-open-university-gets-new-vc.html?tztc=1. Retrieved 25 June 2025. `{{cite web}}`: Missing or empty `|title=` (help)
8. ^ "Faculty of Agric Science | National Open University of Nigeria". fas.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
9. ^ "Faculty of Law | National Open University of Nigeria". fol.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
10. ^ "Faculty of Arts | National Open University of Nigeria". foa.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
11. ^ "Faculty of Management Science | National Open University of Nigeria". fms.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
12. ^ "Faculty of Education | National Open university of Nigeria". foe.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
13. ^ "Faculty of Science | National Open University of Nigeria". fos.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
14. ^ "Faculty of Health Sciences | National Open University of Nigeria". Retrieved 4 June 2023.
15. ^ "Faculty of Social Science | National Open University of Nigeria". fss.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
16. ^ "Department of Agricultural Economics & Extension | Faculty of Agric Science". fas.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
17. ^ "B. Agric. Animal Science | Faculty of Agric Science". fas.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
18. ^ "Department of Computer Science | Faculty of Science". fos.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
19. ^ a b c "Department of Environmental Science | Faculty of Science". fos.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
20. ^ a b "Department of Mathematics | Faculty of Science". fos.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
21. ^ "Department of Criminology and Security Studies | Faculty of Social Science". fss.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
22. ^ a b "Department of Physics | Faculty of Science". fos.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
23. ^ "Department of Biological Sciences | Faculty of Science". fos.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
24. ^ "English | Faculty of Arts". foa.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
25. ^ "Linguistics, Foreign and Nigerian Languages | Faculty of Arts". foa.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
26. ^ "Philosophy | Faculty of Arts". foa.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
27. ^ "Religious Studies | Faculty of Arts". foa.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
28. ^ "Department of Science Education | Faculty of Education". foe.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
29. ^ "Department of Art and Social Education | Faculty of Education". foe.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
30. ^ "Political Science | Faculty of Social Science". fss.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
31. ^ "Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution | Faculty of Social Science". fss.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
32. ^ "Development Studies | Faculty of Social Science". fss.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
33. ^ "Human Kinetics and Health Education | Faculty of Education". foe.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
34. ^ "Department of Education Foundations | Faculty of Education". foe.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
35. ^ "Department of Library and Information Science | Faculty of Education". foe.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
36. ^ "NOUN Student Portal - National Open University of Nigeria". www.nounstudentportal.org.
37. ^ "National Open University of Nigeria". National Open University of Nigeria. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
38. ^ "School of Post Graduate Studies | National Open University of Nigeria". spgs.nou.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
39. ^ "NOUN VC: strikes will soon go extinct - The Nation Nigeria". 24 October 2013.
40. ^ "National Open University, NOUN Registration Form - 2018/2019". 16 January 2018.
41. ^ "National Open University of Nigeria". Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
42. ^ "National Open University :: Admission List 2006". Archived from the original on 9 January 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
43. ^ "JAMB UTME/DE Registration 2018/19 Form and Closing Date". www.nigeriaschool.com.ng. 18 January 2020.
44. ^ nounfm.caster.fm/
45. ^ Ayinla, Dupe (14 July 2014). "Ini Edo, Desmond Elliot admitted for Law at NOUN - The Nation Nigeria". Thenationonlineng.net. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
46. ^ "Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha, Doris Simeon Get Scholarships to Study at National Open University - BellaNaija". www.bellanaija.com. 25 June 2014.
47. ^ "Prof Olugbemiro Jegede: The ABU Alumnus Who Setup The National Open University Of Nigeria | The Abusites". 2 April 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
48. ^ "My Vision for Taraba State University". 19 October 2019.

## External links

[edit]

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