National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is Nigeria's dedicated single-mode open and distance learning university and one of the country's most significant institutions for expanding access to higher education beyond conventional campus-based education. Established in 1983 and later resuscitated in 2002, NOUN was created around the principle that higher education should be accessible regardless of geography, employment status, age or other barriers associated with conventional university attendance. The university uses open and distance learning, digital platforms and a nationwide study-centre network to deliver programmes across disciplines including computing, education, health sciences, law, management sciences, agriculture, arts, sciences and social sciences. Its scale and national reach have made NOUN a major component of Nigeria's higher-education system and a significant African institution in technology-enabled and flexible learning. In February 2026, Professor Uduma Oji Uduma became the university's sixth Vice-Chancellor, with priorities including strengthening study centres, learner support, ICT infrastructure, e-examination integrity, staff welfare, quality assurance and accreditation.