By Fatima Saka
Abuja, Nigeria — The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has reinforced its commitment to inclusive education, announcing that 56 inmates from correctional centres across the country will graduate at its 15th convocation ceremony.
Speaking at a pre-convocation press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Vice-Chancellor, Uduma Uduma, described the initiative as a deliberate effort to promote inclusion, second chances, and national transformation through education.
The convocation, scheduled for April 18, will be held simultaneously across NOUN’s study centres nationwide, with a total of 24,575 students expected to graduate, including the inmates.
Uduma said the inclusion of inmates reflects the university’s philosophy that no individual is beyond redemption, stressing that access to education remains a fundamental right regardless of circumstance.
According to him, NOUN’s Open and Distance Learning model has enabled the institution to take academic programmes into correctional facilities, breaking barriers related to location and social status.
“The participation of inmates in this convocation is not symbolic; it represents real academic achievement and personal transformation,” he said.
He added that the initiative goes beyond the award of certificates, focusing on restoring dignity, rebuilding identity, and reaffirming the humanity of incarcerated persons.
Uduma noted that the programme aligns with NOUN’s broader mandate to widen access to education and ensure no segment of society is excluded, describing education as a critical tool for rehabilitation and reintegration.
“The success recorded by inmates underscores the transformative power of knowledge and highlights the need for sustained investment in inclusive education,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor further described NOUN as a “quiet revolution” in Nigeria’s education sector, noting that learning is no longer confined to traditional classrooms.
He said the university continues to attract a diverse student population, including working professionals, women, and other non-traditional learners, alongside inmates in custodial centres.
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Uduma also announced that certificates would be issued immediately after the convocation ceremony, a move he said reflects the institution’s commitment to efficiency and improved service delivery.
He commended staff and partners for sustaining NOUN’s nationwide operations, which have made it possible to reach underserved populations, and called on stakeholders, particularly the media, to continue amplifying initiatives that promote equitable access to education.
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