The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has matriculated 23,885 newly admitted students, with its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Uduma, declaring Open and Distance Learning (ODL) as the future of higher education.

Mr Uduma made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja during the university’s 31st Matriculation Ceremony, held virtually across NOUN study centres nationwide.

The newly matriculated students comprise 17,471 undergraduates, 1,967 postgraduate diploma students, 4,333 master’s students, 10 MPhil/PhD students and 104 PhD candidates.

The vice-chancellor said growing adoption of ODL by conventional universities and young Nigerians’ preference for flexible learning showed thathigher education was shifting toward accessibility, technology and learner autonomy.

He said NOUN was established to ensure that geographical location, time, employment, family responsibilities and other barriers did not prevent qualified Nigerians from accessing quality university education.

Mr Uduma said the university remained committed to widening access while maintaining academic standards, describing admission into NOUN as both an opportunity and responsibility.

He congratulated the students and urged them to pursue knowledge, competence, character and integrity throughout their academic journey.

According to him, conventional universities increasingly embracing distance learning through dedicated centres and dual-mode systems affirmed the vision NOUN embraced decades ago.

“When conventional universities increasingly embrace ODL, they are, in a very real sense, validating the vision that NOUN embraced long ago,” Mr Uduma said.

He said NOUN’s decades of experience, learner-support systems and institutional expertise remained key advantages as more universities entered the ODL space.

Mr Uduma stressed that the expansion of ODL across Nigeria’s university system should be regarded as an affirmation of NOUN’s pioneering role rather than a threat.

He said increasing numbers of young Nigerians were deliberately choosing NOUN because of its flexibility and technology-driven learning environment.

The vice-chancellor said ODL was no longer merely an alternative route to university education but a deliberate choice for learners balancing education with work and responsibilities.

He urged students to use facilitation classes, complete Tutor-Marked Assignments and utilise the Learning Management System, while seeking assistance when necessary.

The Registrar, Oladipo A. Ajayi, administered the matriculation oath via Zoom and urged students to obey university rules, warning that violations could attract disciplinary measures, including expulsion.

The ceremony formally inducted the 23,885 students into the NOUN community and marked the beginning of their academic journey in Nigeria’s foremost dedicated ODL institution.

(NAN)