Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has raised concerns about the declining standards in Nigerian higher education, stating that many universities now graduate individuals who lack both proper education and good character. He made this assertion during the 14th Convocation Ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), held on Friday in Abuja.
Serving as the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Jega emphasized that convocation ceremonies traditionally celebrate students who have been found “worthy in learning and character.” However, he lamented that this ideal has largely become aspirational in today’s academic landscape.
“Unfortunately,” he said, “many Nigerian universities are now certifying illiterates and awarding degrees to individuals who display unworthy character traits.” He further noted that while a person can be educated without possessing good character, and vice versa, the university ideal is to nurture both.
“Whereas this goal might have been achieved in the past, it now remains an exception rather than the norm,” Prof. Jega added. He suggested that the causes of this decline are complex and multifaceted, proposing that such issues be addressed in a dedicated lecture in the future.
He also expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor and management of NOUN for inviting him to serve as chairman of the convocation lecture.
Also speaking at the event was Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), who delivered the convocation lecture titled “Advancing Africa’s Positioning within Global Development and Geopolitical Dynamics.”
Dr. Adesina praised NOUN, describing it as a beacon of educational advancement in Africa. “NOUN is the largest open university in Africa, offering over 2,000 courses and enrolling more than 600,000 students,” he said. “It is also the second largest open learning institution in the world — a truly outstanding achievement.”
He further called on the Federal Government to increase the institution’s funding, stating that NOUN deserves at least three times its current budget to continue expanding access to quality education.
Dr. Adesina also celebrated NOUN’s notable alumni, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and added a personal touch by revealing that his wife’s younger sister, Professor Yetunde Ofulue, is a member of the institution’s faculty.
Sharing a heartfelt story, Adesina reflected on his late father’s belief in education as a powerful equalizer: “He used to say that education gives the children of the poor the power to rise and even surpass the heights reserved for the children of the wealthy.”
He concluded by expressing his excitement at addressing a convocation audience of over 600,000 — a feat made possible through NOUN’s robust digital learning platforms. “That’s like speaking to 10 packed FIFA World Cup stadiums,” he said.
