Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has directed relevant officials to begin the search for a temporary site for the establishment of a study centre of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, in Aba.
Mr Otti gave the directive while receiving the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, during a courtesy visit to his country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
The governor said the Commissioner for Tertiary Education and the Managing Director of the Greater Aba Development Authority should immediately commence the process pending the construction of a permanent facility in the commercial city.
According to him, the decision followed a request by the vice-chancellor for policy direction and government support toward establishing the centre in Aba.
Otti described Aba as a major commercial hub that should not be without a NOUN study centre, stressing the importance of expanding access to higher education through flexible learning systems.
He noted that open and distance learning had witnessed remarkable growth due to advancements in technology, including the use of virtual platforms such as Google Meet and Zoom.
“In view of the role NOUN is playing in advancing education, it is imperative that Aba has a study centre,” the governor said.
Otti reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving education through the recruitment, training and retraining of teachers across the state.
He also assured the university management of the state government’s support toward the successful establishment of the study centre.
The governor further directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to engage with the management of the existing NOUN study centre in Umuahia to identify areas where the state government could assist in improving facilities.
Earlier, the NOUN Vice-Chancellor said he visited the state to seek government support and policy direction for the proposed Aba study centre.
Uduma stated that the university remained committed to widening access to education through open and distance learning while promoting inclusiveness in tertiary education.
According to him, study centres are critical access points for students, adding that Aba, as one of Nigeria’s largest commercial cities, deserves such a facility.
He added that NOUN was open to partnerships with governments and organisations aimed at expanding educational opportunities for Nigerians.
The vice-chancellor also highlighted the growing global relevance of open and distance learning, noting that many universities across the world now operate dual modes of education delivery.
Uduma thanked Governor Otti for the warm reception and for granting the university audience despite his busy schedule.
