Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for sweeping reforms at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), urging the restoration of its law programme and deeper integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into its academic system.
Obasanjo made the call in Abeokuta, Ogun State, when he received the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma Uduma, and members of his management team.
According to a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by Ibrahim Sheme, Director of Media and Publicity at NOUN, the former president stressed the need for innovation and technology-driven academic advancement.
“I urge the university’s leadership to prioritise modernisation and expand access to quality education,” Obasanjo said.
He also called for increased student enrolment at the institution, emphasising the importance of broadening access to tertiary education through flexible learning platforms.
The immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, said the university had taken significant steps to integrate AI into its academic content, adding that the efforts had earned NOUN recognition from international educational bodies.
On enrolment, Peters disclosed that the institution had no fewer than 300,000 registered students, with about 190,000 currently active.
He explained that the gap reflected varying levels of participation among students.
He expressed confidence in the capacity of the new vice-chancellor to sustain innovation and advance institutional development.
In his remarks, Uduma pledged to prioritise the revival of the Law programme and consolidate ongoing reforms within the university.
He also appreciated Obasanjo for his continued support and contributions to the growth of the institution.
The vice-chancellor later visited the Abeokuta Study Centre of the university, where the Centre Director, Mr Oyekunle Adegboyega, conducted him and his team on a tour of the facility.
