The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, has disclosed plans to engage the National Youth Service Corps in allowing eligible graduates of the National Open University of Nigeria to participate in the national service scheme.
Ribadu disclosed this in Abuja during NOUN’s 15th convocation ceremony, where 24,575 graduates were awarded degrees across various disciplines.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to reviewing existing policy frameworks guiding the NYSC scheme, with a view to expanding participation to accommodate graduates of open and distance learning institutions.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the ceremony, Ribadu said the NUC would work with the NYSC to consider policy adjustments that reflect the changing realities of higher education, especially the emergence of younger graduates from non-traditional learning systems.
He noted that, unlike in the past, when many graduates were above the age threshold for national service, recent trends show a growing number of younger graduates from institutions such as NOUN who are eligible for the scheme.
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Ribadu emphasised the critical role of open and distance learning in addressing Nigeria’s widening access to higher education, describing NOUN as a key player in bridging the gap.
He commended the university for its sustained commitment to flexible education, which has provided opportunities for a wide range of learners, including working professionals, security personnel, civil servants, entrepreneurs, women, and inmates in correctional facilities.
According to him, NOUN remains Nigeria’s leading open university and one of the largest in Africa, with a student population exceeding 500,000 nationwide.
He added that the institution’s scale demonstrates the potential of alternative learning systems to complement conventional universities while maintaining academic standards.
Ribadu also praised the university’s collaboration with security institutions, noting that such partnerships have enabled personnel to improve their knowledge and contribute more effectively to national development.
The proposed engagement between the NUC and NYSC is expected to generate fresh debate on inclusiveness and equal opportunities for graduates within Nigeria’s evolving education system.
