The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has held her 15th Convocation Ceremony on Saturday, April 18, 2026, with the Chancellor, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, the Oba of Benin,celebrating the academic achievements of nearly 25,000 graduands across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels.
The 15th Convocation Ceremony of NOUN achieved significant success, distinguished by the presence of esteemed dignitaries,
including the Visitor to the University, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, the Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, who is also the Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) alongside the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Honourable Minister of Education, and other distinguished guests as well as the celebration of exceptional academic performance, and a renewed affirmation of the university’s foundational commitment to providing accessible and affordable, high-caliber education to all Nigerians.
The Oba of Benin’s insightful leadership and forward-thinking vision will, without doubt, continue to encourage and direct NOUN as it strives for excellence and endeavors to reshape the educational paradigm across Nigeria.
At the epoch event, the revered monarch, who affirmed his role as both Chancellor and “a strong veritable custodian of Benin culture,” added that the event provided an opportunity for reflective dialogue on the future of Open and Distance Learning in Nigeria.
According to him, the ceremony celebrated the academic achievements of nearly 25,000 graduands across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels while providing an opportunity for reflective dialogue on the future of Open and Distance Learning in Nigeria.
In his address, the Chancellor described NOUN as a “national instrument of inclusion, equity, and opportunity,” praising the institution’s unparalleled reach through approximately 130 Study Centres spread across every corner of the Federation.
He noted that the founding vision of widening access to quality university education for Nigerians unable to secure placement in conventional institutions “stands not only vindicated but gloriously fulfilled.”
His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, acknowledged the profound responsibility and unique challenges that accompany operating at such scale, and in the spirit of constructive partnership, he respectfully drew the attention of the Federal Government to the importance of sustained investment in the University’s physical and technological infrastructure.
The Chancellor emphasised that dedicated support for NOUN’s Study Centres represents a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital and future competitiveness, ensuring the institution continues to fulfill its national mandate optimally.
A significant highlight of the Chancellor’s address was his thoughtful appeal regarding the participation of NOUN graduates in national service.
His Royal Majesty noted the changing demographics of the student body, which now includes a considerable number of young Nigerians within the national service age bracket.
He observed that these graduates have fulfilled all academic requirements with distinction and expressed confidence that ongoing dialogue with relevant authorities would continue to advance policy frameworks that fully recognise the unique delivery model of Open and Distance Learning.
The Chancellor expressed his hope for the continued evolution of policies that ensure all graduates of recognised Nigerian universities enjoy equal opportunities to contribute to national development.
Commending the graduands for their resilience and determination, the Oba of Benin declared, “You have demonstrated that learning transcends physical boundaries and flourishes wherever discipline, perseverance, and purpose are found.” He charged the new alumni to serve as worthy ambassadors of the institution’s ideals, including integrity, resilience, inclusiveness, and the pursuit of lifelong learning. With the authority vested in him as Chancellor, His Royal Majesty formally admitted all qualified graduands to their respective degrees, diplomas, and certificates, with all rights, privileges, and responsibilities appertaining thereto, concluding with his royal salutation: “Omo N’Oba N’Edo.”
The convocation also marked a significant milestone as the first presided over by the 6th Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uduma Oji Oduma, who assumed office on February 11, 2026. In his address titled “From Learning to Leadership: Reimagining Education for Transforming the World,” Professor Oduma reflected on the symbolism of the number six in African philosophical traditions, representing work, responsibility, and stewardship. He stated, “As African wisdom reminds us, when a new custodian steps into the arena, he does not begin by rewriting the story, but by listening to the rhythm of the drum already in motion.” The Vice-Chancellor articulated a vision for the period 2026-2031 anchored on deliberate transformation, driven by discipline and sustained by measurable impact.
Professor Oduma highlighted the remarkable technological advancements achieved by the University, including the strategic migration of institutional systems to Amazon Web Services (AWS), which has enhanced scalability, security, and interoperability in alignment with global best practices. He further disclosed that NOUN now sustains the largest single-instance Moodle-based Learning Management System in the West African sub-region, supporting over 180,000 active users, delivering more than 2,000 courses per semester, and accommodating up to 10,000 concurrent users. The establishment of a modern University Data Centre with dedicated power and advanced cooling systems, alongside the centralisation of the web ecosystem under nou.edu.ng, has strengthened data governance and reinforced a unified digital identity for the University. These developments, supported by the sustained partnership of TETFund, underscore NOUN’s commitment to technology as the backbone of its Open and Distance Learning mandate.
The 15th Convocation Ceremony stood as a dignified celebration of academic excellence and institutional progress. With the Chancellor’s statesmanlike advocacy and the Vice-Chancellor’s transformative agenda firmly in motion, the National Open University of Nigeria continues to solidify its position as a cornerstone of educational inclusion and a beacon of hope for learners across the nation.
