No fewer than 56 inmates drawn from correctional facilities across Nigeria will participate in the 15th convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), highlighting the institution’s ongoing efforts to broaden access to education.
At a pre-convocation briefing held in Abuja, Uduma explained that the initiative forms part of a broader institutional agenda focused on reintegration, equal opportunity, and societal progress through education.
The ceremony is slated for April 18 and will take place across the university’s various study centres nationwide. The inmates are included in a total of 24,575 graduating students, reflecting NOUN’s commitment to accommodating learners from different backgrounds and circumstances.
Uduma noted that offering academic opportunities to individuals in custody is rooted in the university’s belief that transformation is possible for everyone. He stressed that education should remain accessible to all, irrespective of their situation.
He further pointed out that NOUN’s Open and Distance Learning system allows inmates to pursue academic programmes without the limitations of physical classrooms, thereby bridging gaps created by location or social conditions.
According to him, the graduating inmates earned their qualifications through active participation and academic performance, demonstrating genuine personal and intellectual development.
Describing the programme as a significant shift in the education sector, Uduma said it represents a model where learning extends beyond traditional environments into unconventional spaces.
The Vice-Chancellor also stated that all graduates are expected to take part in the convocation activities, adding that certificates will be issued immediately after the event to improve service delivery.
He called on stakeholders, including the media, to continue supporting and promoting initiatives that enhance educational access and contribute to national development.