56 inmates, 57 first-class — NOUN to graduate 24,575 students at 15th convocation

Uduma Uduma, vice-chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), says 24,575 students will be graduating from the institution at its 15th convocation ceremony scheduled for April 18.

Speaking at the main campus of the university in Abuja on Tuesday during a pre-convocation media briefing, the vice-chancellor noted that the graduating cohort cuts across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

He said the figure includes 17,474 undergraduates, 1,788 postgraduate diploma holders, 5,282 master’s degree graduates, and 31 doctoral degree recipients.

“This is not merely a formal prelude to ceremony; it is a reflective pause in the movement of time – a moment to look back with gratitude, to look around with clarity, and to look ahead with courage,” he said.

Uduma described the convocation as more than the award of degrees, noting that it represents the celebration of transformation, perseverance, and academic resilience.

“Convocation, in its deepest philosophical sense, is not merely the conferment of degrees; it is the celebration of transformation – the moment when effort is dignified, perseverance is honoured, and possibility is affirmed,” he said.

He added that many of the graduating students combined studies with work and family responsibilities, stressing that their success reflects determination under difficult circumstances.

The vice-chancellor also provided a breakdown of performance across faculties: faculty of management sciences (7,455), social sciences (6,024), health sciences (3,939), education (3,431), computing (2,205), science (943), arts (452), agricultural sciences (120), and law (six PGD graduates).

He further disclosed that among the graduating students are inmates from correctional centres benefiting from the university’s free education programme for prisoners.

According to him, 56 inmates will be graduating, while 57 students earned first-class honours.

“For what does it mean to educate those behind bars? It means we believe that no human being is beyond redemption. It means we affirm that knowledge can transform not only minds but lives,” he said.

Uduma said the initiative reflects the university’s philosophy of restoring dignity and offering second chances through education.

He also announced that the convocation lecture will be delivered by Kanu Agabi, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, on April 17, with Kabir Bala, former vice-chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, as chairman.

According to him, the lecture, themed “Nigeria against corruption”, would serve as a national call for ethical reflection and accountability.

He said the convocation ceremony proper will hold on April 18 and will be conducted across study centres nationwide in line with the university’s open and distance learning structure.