Abuja: Governor Alex Otti of Abia has instructed officials to begin the search for a temporary location for a study centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Aba. Otti issued the directive during a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma Uduma, at his home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the governor’s decision was in response to a request from the vice-chancellor, who sought guidance on the establishment of a study centre in Aba. Otti has tasked the Commissioner for Tertiary Education and the Managing Director of the Greater Aba Development Authority to commence the process of identifying a temporary site until a permanent facility is available.
The governor emphasized the importance of having a NOUN study centre in Aba, a key commercial hub, and acknowledged the advancements in open and distance learning through technology platforms like Google Meet and Zoom. Otti stressed the necessity of a study centre in Aba to support NOUN’s role in advancing education.
The state government remains committed to educational development by recruiting, training, and retraining teachers, Otti added. He assured NOUN of the state’s support towards establishing the centre in Aba and instructed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to collaborate with the Umuahia study centre of NOUN to identify areas for facility improvement.
Prof. Uduma, during his visit, expressed NOUN’s commitment to expanding educational access through open and distance learning and highlighted the need for a study centre in Aba, one of Nigeria’s largest cities. He indicated the institution’s willingness to partner with governments and organizations to enhance educational opportunities and noted the increasing global significance of open and distance learning, as many universities now employ a dual mode of education delivery.