TETFund Delegation Visits NOUN, Hails University's Impact on National Development

Principal officers of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) with the visiting TETFund Board of Trustees delegation.

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) welcomed a high-level delegation from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board of Trustees (BOT), North Central Zone, to its headquarters in Jabi-Abuja on Thursday, July 10, 2025. The 5-man team's visit underscored TETFund's commitment to monitoring the effective use of its grants and assessing the progress of TETFund-sponsored projects within beneficiary institutions.

Led by Engr. Nurudeen Adeyemi, the delegation's primary objective was to evaluate the impact of TETFund interventions on educational delivery at NOUN and to inspect both completed and ongoing projects funded by the agency.

Upon receiving the delegation, NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, expressed profound gratitude for TETFund's pivotal role in the university's establishment, growth, and sustained success.

Professor Peters emphasized that the visit represented more than just an inspection; it was an opportunity to reflect on the significant impact of TETFund's interventions on Nigeria's higher education sector. He described it as "one of the most impactful federal interventions in the country’s higher education landscape."

The VC recounted the history of NOUN's collaboration with TETFund, highlighting how an initial take-off grant from the then-Education Tax Fund enabled the university to commence operations in 2002. He stressed that TETFund interventions have been instrumental in developing much of NOUN's physical and digital infrastructure.

He further elaborated on how TETFund has supported various initiatives, ranging from the refurbishment of NOUN's Lagos office to the establishment of state-of-the-art IT systems and study centers across the nation.

Professor Peters particularly emphasized the strategic importance of the ongoing fiber optics infrastructure project, funded by TETFund, which he believes is revolutionizing NOUN's digital learning environment. He stated that this support allows NOUN students and staff to experience the quality of world-class institutions like MIT or the University of London, all within Nigeria.

‘”We acknowledge the transformative impact of TETFund- funded fibre optics project and we seek continued support for its maintenance,” he added.

The Vice-Chancellor also advocated for sustained support, highlighting the unique operational challenges faced by an Open and Distance Learning institution like NOUN. He cited specific needs, including the provision of at least 50,000 laptops for exam delivery, logistical support for distributing course materials, and recurring subscription costs for essential digital infrastructure.

Professor Peters pleaded for continuous annual support, urging TETFund to incorporate NOUN into its annual intervention plans to ensure the long-term sustainability of existing facilities and resources.

Responding to the university's requests, Engr. Adeyemi delivered what he described as "good news," confirming that the TETFund Board had approved the release of the final tranche of funds allocated for specific intervention projects at NOUN.

Adeyemi emphasized NOUN's critical role in expanding access to education, particularly for working adults and individuals who cannot attend traditional universities. He said, “This university is very critical to the nation's development, as it gives access to people who ordinarily may not access higher education, and this is the only viable option for many of our working adults.”

Adeyemi also indicated that some of the completed or nearly completed projects may be inaugurated at events involving board chairpersons or, for flagship initiatives, even federal ministers or the President of Nigeria.

He urged the NOUN administration to keep TETFund informed about project milestones to facilitate arrangements for high-level commissioning events.

He commended Professor Peters and his team for their effective management and diligent execution of TETFund projects across NOUN's extensive network of 123 study centers. He also reaffirmed the board's commitment to prioritizing critical institutions like NOUN to ensure the continued growth and development of open and distance learning in Nigeria.

Following the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor guided the TETFund delegation on a tour of several facilities, including the completed Conference Centre, the ICT hub, and the ongoing RETRIDOL (Regional Training and Research Institute for Open and Distance Learning) building.