By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
Professor Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has expressed concern about the state of education in Nigerian universities.
Speaking at the 14th Convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Jega lamented that many universities are producing graduates who lack both knowledge and good character.
Jega noted that the ideal of university education should be to produce individuals who are not only learned but also possess good character. However, he observed that this ideal is often not met, stating, “Regrettably, our universities are certificating illiterates and awarding degrees in many cases to persons with unworthy characters.”
The convocation lecture, themed “Advancing Africa’s Positioning within Global Development and Geopolitical Dynamics,” featured Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who praised NOUN for its achievements. Adesina highlighted NOUN’s status as the largest open university in Africa and the second-largest open learning university globally, with over 600,000 students enrolled and more than 2,000 courses offered.
Adesina expressed admiration for NOUN, saying, “I love NOUN for life!” He also emphasized the importance of education, sharing his father’s words. He said, “Nothing is more important than education. My late father, Roland F. Adesina sacrificed all to send my siblings and I to school. He used to tell us that education is the greatest leveler in society.”
Adesina’s praise for NOUN includes: Being the largest Open University in Africa, being the second-largest open learning university in the world, and producing notable alumni, such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
