The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) says 56 inmates from correctional centres nationwide are preparing to graduate at its 15th convocation ceremony.

The Vice-Chancellor, Uduma Uduma, made this known during a pre-convocation news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

The VC described the initiative as a deliberate policy focused on inclusion, second chances, and fostering meaningful national transformation through education.

The convocation, scheduled for April 18, would be conducted across NOUN’s multiple study centres nationwide.

“The inmates are among the 24,575 students graduating at the ceremony, reflecting the university’s broad reach and inclusive approach to learning, which ensures that education remains accessible to diverse groups across Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Uduma said the decision to educate persons behind bars reflected NOUN’s philosophy that “no human being is beyond redemption.”

He noted that access to knowledge remained a fundamental right regardless of circumstance.

Mr Uduma said the university’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) model had made it possible to extend academic programmes into correctional facilities, removing barriers of location and social status.

According to him, the inmates’ participation in the convocation is not symbolic but a reflection of real academic work and personal transformation.

“For us, it is not just about awarding certificates; it is about restoring dignity, rebuilding identity and reaffirming humanity.

“The inclusion of inmates aligns with NOUN’s broader mandate of widening access to education and ensuring that no segment of society is excluded.

“The initiative demonstrates how education can serve as a tool for rehabilitation and reintegration, offering inmates a pathway to rebuild their lives after incarceration.

“The success of inmates in the programme underscores the transformative power of knowledge and the need for sustained investment in inclusive education,” he said.

The VC described the university as “a quiet revolution” in Nigeria’s education sector, emphasising that learning was no longer confined to physical classrooms.

He said NOUN’s model had continued to attract diverse learners, including workers, women, and other non-traditional students, alongside those in correctional centres.

“The 2026 graduating cohort reflects this diversity, cutting across faculties and social backgrounds.

“The university will continue to expand access through technology-driven learning, while strengthening support systems for students in all locations, including custodial centres.

“The prison education initiative is part of a long-term vision to position NOUN as a leading institution in inclusive and flexible learning in Africa,” Uduma said.

The vice-chancellor said all NOUN graduates were expected to participate in the convocation irrespective of their location.

The VC reiterated that certificates would be issued immediately after the ceremony, describing it as a shift towards efficiency and student-focused service delivery.

He commended staff and partners for sustaining the university’s nationwide structure, noting that such coordination made it possible to reach underserved populations, including inmates.

He also called for continued support from stakeholders, particularly the media, in amplifying the impact of initiatives that promote access to education. 

(NAN)