President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Ministry of Education to include National Open University (NOUN) graduates in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program.
Tinubu also addressed the issue of NOUN Law graduates being admitted to Law School, advocating for equal opportunities.
He announced this during his speech at NOUN’s 13th convocation ceremony in Abuja, represented by Biodun Saliu from the National Universities Commission.
Tinubu emphasized that these opportunities align with the age requirements stipulated by law.
He said, “With the changing demographics of our great nation, the government has recognised the importance of allowing NOUN graduates to participate in the NYSC scheme.
“The doors of the Law School are now open to the graduates, ensuring equal opportunities for all. Any remaining concerns or uncertainties should be promptly addressed by the Federal Ministry of Education.
“We will continue to do this in order to improve quality, access, and affordability.
“Government is, therefore, committed through the Federal Ministry of Education and the NUC to provide the enabling environment to ensure a good delivery of this mode of education in Nigeria.”
The president acknowledged that the event wasn’t solely about celebrating the graduates’ academic achievements but also underscored the significant role of Open and Distance Education in shaping the country’s educational system.
He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to improving ODL to increase access to higher education nationwide, highlighting its importance in meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The president praised NOUN’s progress, emphasizing its pivotal role in advancing the government’s educational objectives through ICT.