After years of waiting, President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has finally directed the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), to include the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) graduates in the National Youth Service and admit the law graduates to the law school.
Deputy Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Dr. Biodun Saliu who represented the president at the 13th Convocation ceremony of the university said, “With the changing demographics of our great nation, the government has recognized 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”.
President Tinubu emphasized the vital role of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in Nigeria’s educational landscape and pledged his administration’s commitment to promoting ODL to improve access to higher education.
He highlighted the importance of ODL in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and assured the provision of an enabling environment for quality ODL delivery through government agencies.
Acknowledging NOUN’s evolution from its inception as a means of providing education for the working class to its current role in providing access to education for the youth population, President Tinubu expressed concern over the challenge of school leavers unable to secure admissions into conventional universities.
He called for enhanced research efforts in technology to increase NOUN’s admission of young school leavers and improve social safety nets.
The President commended NOUN’s pivotal role in advancing the government’s initiatives in ICT-driven learning. He announced plans for NOUN to provide access to government functionaries into various ICT programs, especially postgraduate programs in ACETEL, within the next six months.
He encouraged NOUN to admit qualified government functionaries into postgraduate programs to support the government’s transformative journey with the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in government operations.
The president’s directive has raised the hope of NOUN law graduates who have been praying to attend law school and be called to the Bar as solicitors and advocates of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
What many are yet to understand is whether they would still be subjected to almost one year Bar part one, or be admitted straight into Bar part two as their colleagues from other Nigerian universities or even few months of Bar part One like those who studied their first degree in law (LL.B.) abroad.
