The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) announced on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, that 17,420 students have been cleared to participate in its 14th convocation ceremony. This follows their completion of required academic and non-academic responsibilities.
NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Peters, shared this at a press conference in Abuja heralding the event. He noted that the total includes 51 inmates—41 undergraduates and 10 postgraduates—from various correctional centres who have met their academic requirements. The convocation is set for this weekend.
Peters provided a breakdown: 16,964 undergraduates, 6,413 postgraduates, and 40 PhD students will graduate. Among undergraduates, 16 will earn First Class degrees, 1,417 will receive Second Class Upper, 5,518 Second Class Lower, 2,761 Third Class, and 158 Pass degrees. For Nursing Science, 1,117 students will graduate, with 12 achieving Distinction, 490 earning Credit, and 615 receiving Pass degrees.
The Vice-Chancellor praised the graduates’ determination. “I congratulate the graduating students for their doggedness, resilience, and commitment to their academic and non-academic responsibilities that culminated in their graduation at the 14th convocation ceremony,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), will deliver the convocation lecture, with former INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega chairing the event. Adesina and Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, will receive honorary doctorate degrees for their contributions to society.