In a momentous occasion for the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), more than 22,000 students are set to receive their degrees and diplomas at the upcoming 13th convocation ceremony.
Among these graduates, 22 stand out with first-class honors, highlighting their exceptional academic achievements.
The Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Olufemi Peters, shared these details during a pre-convocation press conference held at the university’s headquarters in Abuja.
The ceremony, slated for Saturday, April 13, 2024, promises to be a memorable event celebrating the dedication and hard work of these students.
Professor Peters proudly announced that the graduating cohort comprises 15,768 undergraduates and 6,407 postgraduates, demonstrating the university’s commitment to providing educational opportunities across diverse fields.
The Faculty of Social Sciences boasts the highest number of graduates, reflecting the university’s robust academic offerings.
The breakdown of academic achievements reveals a spectrum of accomplishments: alongside the 22 first-class graduates, there are approximately 1,886 with second-class upper honors, 8,427 with second-class lower, and 3,782 with third-class distinctions. Moreover, the university is celebrating the conferral of honorary doctorate degrees upon distinguished individuals, including entrepreneur Dr. Innocent Chukuwuma and renowned novelist Hajiya Hafsat Abdulwaheed.
An additional highlight of the convocation is the investiture of the new Chancellor, His Royal Majesty Omon’Oba N’Edo Uku’Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin Kingdom. This esteemed role underscores the university’s commitment to academic excellence and leadership within Nigeria.
Furthermore, the convocation events include a stimulating lecture by Professor Elifas Bisanda, Vice-Chancellor of Open University of Tanzania, emphasizing the global engagement and academic collaborations fostered by NOUN.
In his remarks, Professor Peters addressed ongoing developments, including efforts to secure admission for NOUN law graduates into the Council of Legal Education and plans for the construction of a Faculty of Law.
He also highlighted fruitful discussions with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the mobilization of qualified NOUN graduates, underscoring the university’s commitment to facilitating post-graduation opportunities for its students.
