The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is set to graduate 17,420 students, including 51 inmates in 14 correctional centres at its 14th convocation.
Speaking at the pre-convocation press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Olufemi Peters, the vice-chancellor of NOUN, said the inmates include 41 undergraduates and 10 postgraduates, adding that the university has been responsible for their education.
Giving a further breakdown of the figure, the VC said there are 10,967 undergraduates and 16 first class students among those that will graduate during the convocation that will be held on Aprill 11.
He added that there are 40 PhD students, 4,310 masters degree, and 2,103 postgraduate diploma (PGD) students to be graduated.
The VC said the federal ministry of interior is seeking the creation of study centres in more correctional facilities across the country to create access for inmates who are interested in academic pursuits.
“Because of this social value that we have created, the ministry of interior is requesting that we extend this service to as many correctional centres as possible. While we agree with this request, we are being very cautious of the logistics of delivering lectures to those inmates,” he said.
“Let’s not forget that all our inmates in the correctional centres are being sponsored by the university, and the only proof of acceptance is the purchase of admission forms themselves. That’s when we will say they are serious, and then we now offer them a scholarship.
“The message we want to give our students is that as a university, we believe that we have equipped them with skills and knowledge and values that are necessary to make a positive impact in their lives, just like those in the correctional centres.
“And therefore, ours is to encourage them to cultivate integrity, cultivate empathy, and be very resilient. In life, just be resilient to navigate through the waters of life. These are our charges to our students.”
He also announced that the university would confer an honourary doctorate degree of doctor of humane letters on Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), who is expected to deliver the convocation lecture on Friday.
The VC added that Abbas Tajudeen, the speaker of the house of representatives, will also be conferred with the honourary doctorate degree of doctor of business administration.
