NOUN Hosts Inaugural Dialogue on Nigeria's Restructuring Debate

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), through its Faculty of Social Science, recently convened a groundbreaking dialogue session focused on the complex and highly pertinent issue of restructuring Nigeria. The event marks a significant step in fostering open discussion and critical analysis of the nation's socio-political landscape.

Held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the university's Conference Centre in Jabi, Abuja, the dialogue was themed: “Nigeria to Be Restructured or Not Be Restructured.” The forum brought together academics, researchers, and members of the public to explore diverse perspectives on this crucial national debate.

Representing Vice-Chancellor Prof. Femi Peters, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Butswat Isaac commended the Faculty of Social Science, and particularly its Dean, for initiating this inaugural dialogue. He emphasized the timeliness and importance of the topic.

“I came to encourage this innovative act being led by the Dean of Faculty of Social Science. I find it innovative and the topic is apt,” Prof. Isaac stated, highlighting the significance of NOUN's contribution to the national discourse.

He further noted, “This is a debate that has been going on for some days... almost under every government administration recently, you have heard the debate on Nigeria to be restructured or not be restructured. And today the Faculty of Social Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria has organised this seminar to make an input into this debate.”

Prof. Isaac expressed hope that the session would empower participants, both in-person and online, to form informed opinions on the necessity and potential pathways for restructuring Nigeria.

“I am pleased with the group of discussants I have seen from diverse areas, different parts of Nigeria…I have seen a lot of professors here. Pay attention to the discussants,” he urged the audience.

Dr. Ebele Uduoji, representing the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Kamal Bello, underscored NOUN's unique position as an accessible learning institution, emphasizing its commitment to open and distance learning, regardless of age or geographical limitations. She also highlighted that the school fees are affordable.

She stated, “This gathering today is to discuss the restructuring of Nigeria into four directions in a dialogue manner. We should note that, dialogue as against monologue is a conversation between two or more people in a different view to interact and engage each other.”

Prof. Bello, in his address read by Dr. Uduoji, stressed the importance of dialogue as a constructive tool for navigating complex issues. He explained that effective dialogue requires skills, deep listening, enquiry, lead expression and observation rather than judgement or evaluation.

“In dialogue, there is always no winner or loser. I give thanks to the university management under the leadership of our Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, for making this dialogue possible,” the Dean's statement concluded.

A distinguished panel of experts contributed to the dialogue, including Prof. Hassanini Tukur of Nassarawa State University, Keffi; Prof. Jude Ibeh of Miva Open University, Abuja; Prof. Mukhtar Imam of Baze University, Abuja; Prof. Success Jibrin Musa of Veritas University, Abuja; and Prof. Sadiq Abba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, University of Abuja. The panelists presented a range of perspectives, exploring both the potential benefits and challenges associated with restructuring Nigeria.

The event fostered a dynamic exchange of ideas, with participants posing thought-provoking questions that elicited insightful responses from the panelists, further enriching the discussion on this critical national issue.