Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof Olufemi Peters, has stated that the model of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) remains the future of education, globally.
He spoke as the university matriculated 23,344 new students, who enrolled for various undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes.
Peters was speaking at the 27th Matriculation of the institution, yesterday, where he welcomed the fresh students to the university.
The ceremony, held virtually and at various NOUN study centres nationwide, also witnessed oath-taking by the students.
The vice chancellor explained the transformative power of ODL and highlighted its exceptional feature of bridging the access to education gap.
Peters reiterated NOUN’s commitment to revolutionising education in Nigeria, describing ODL as the future of education, especially in a world increasingly driven by digital innovation and the need for flexible learning models.
He said: “Our mode of education empowers students to learn at their own pace, balancing education with work and family responsibilities.”
“NOUN is bridging the gap in access to quality higher education, ensuring inclusivity for all Nigerians, regardless of age, location, or circumstance.”
Giving a breakdown of the 23,344 new students across the nine faculties, he said a total of 18,106 enrolled for the undergraduate programmes, while 5,196 for postgraduate programmes.
He added that MPhil had 10 and PhD 32 students.
Peters also emphasised that NOUN’s model of ODL stood out from traditional university systems, saying, “Unlike regular universities, ODL provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing students to balance education with work and other life commitments.”
