President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued directives to Vice-Chancellors of universities and heads of tertiary institutions to ensure the comprehensive implementation of new financial management guidelines recently sanctioned by the Federal government.
These guidelines, crafted in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and greenlit during a Federal Executive Council meeting on January 26, 2024, aim to uphold probity, good governance, and proper financial stewardship within public institutions across the country.
During his address at the 13th Convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), President Tinubu, who serves as the Visitor, pledged to fortify the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode of education delivery in Nigeria.
The ceremony saw a remarkable milestone with the graduation of 22,175 students spanning undergraduate and postgraduate levels and various disciplines.
Notably, the Convocation ceremony witnessed the Investiture of the Oba of Benin, His Majesty Oba Ewuare II, as the new Chancellor of NOUN.
Originally scheduled for Thursday, the investiture was rescheduled to Saturday due to a one-day extension of the public holiday for Eid el-Fitr celebrations.
Furthermore, NOUN conferred honorary doctorate degrees upon two distinguished Nigerians, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma and Hajiya Hafsatu Abdulwaheed.
Dr. Chukwuma, a renowned entrepreneur and founder of Innoson Motors, and Hajiya Hafsatu, the first female novelist in northern Nigeria, a prominent activist, and philanthropist, were honored for their significant contributions to society.
President Tinubu, represented by Dr. Noel Biodun Saliu, Deputy Executive Secretary (Academics) of the National Universities Commission (NUC), emphasized the imperative for universities and tertiary institutions to engage in research endeavors addressing both local and global challenges.
In light of the Federal Government’s decision to exempt lecturers in educational institutions from IPPIS, President Tinubu underscored the importance of adhering to the newly approved financial management guidelines.
These guidelines aim to instill principles of good governance and prudent financial management within tertiary institutions.
President Tinubu reiterated the government’s commitment to advancing education as a cornerstone of its agenda, pledging continued support to ensure the national relevance and global competitiveness of educational institutions.
He congratulated the honorary doctorate recipients, urged students to be exemplary ambassadors of NOUN, and highlighted the administration’s efforts to enhance the quality, accessibility, and affordability of higher education.
Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Olufemi Peters, disclosed that the convocation saw a total of 22,175 graduates, encompassing both undergraduate and postgraduate levels across diverse fields of study.
The breakdown included 15,768 undergraduates and 6,407 postgraduates, with notable achievements such as first-class honors, second-class distinctions, and doctoral degrees.
Furthermore, Professor Peters highlighted NOUN’s commitment to inclusivity, exemplified by providing scholarships to incarcerated individuals, thereby facilitating access to education.
“I am also happy to announce that 4 of the doctoral graduates are from our flagship World Bank assisted Africa Centre for Excellence for Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL).”
He emphasized the university’s dedication to offering flexible, qualitative, affordable, and accessible education.
Oba Ewuare II, in assuming the role of Chancellor, expressed his vision for NOUN centered on excellence, innovation, and inclusivity.
Leveraging his position as a traditional ruler, he pledged to contribute to the institution’s advancement and prosperity.
“My vision for the National Open University of Nigeria is one of excellence, innovation, and inclusivity. It is my fervent aspiration to leverage my position as a traditional ruler to enhance the fortunes
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of this esteemed institution,” he said.
