Abuja, Nigeria – The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), through its Special Study Centre at the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) National Headquarters, has embarked on an advocacy initiative aimed at boosting educational accessibility. A delegation recently visited the Nigerian Correctional Officers’ Wives Association (NICOWA) School, demonstrating NOUN's commitment to inclusive learning.

The visit, which took place on Thursday, October 16, 2025, served to inform NICOWA and the surrounding community about the vast educational opportunities offered through Open and Distance Learning (ODL), with NOUN serving as a prime example.

Controller Francis Enobore (Rtd), mni, Centre Director, led the advocacy team. He emphasized that NOUN's model allows individuals to pursue education at their own pace, regardless of their age, location, or profession. He is pictured above with the advocacy team and members of NICOWA after the meeting.

Controller Enobore reaffirmed NOUN's dedication to providing flexible, affordable, and inclusive education throughout Nigeria. "Education should never be constrained by circumstance or environment," he stated, highlighting that the NOUN learning system is specifically designed to accommodate working adults, homemakers, and those with demanding schedules.

“Education should never be limited by age, distance, or occupation. At NOUN, we believe everyone deserves a chance to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to society,” he asserted.

The Centre Director further explained that NOUN's Open and Distance Learning model offers a practical solution to educational challenges, allowing learners to balance their academic endeavors with their personal and professional responsibilities.

The visit included an interactive session where participants received detailed information about NOUN's academic programs, learner support systems, and the admission process. Informational brochures and flyers were distributed to those in attendance, providing further resources.

Attendees actively engaged in the session, posing questions about enrollment procedures, available study options, and the various support services offered by the university.

Mrs. Elizabeth Jonathan, Head Teacher of NICOWA School, delivered a goodwill message, expressing her sincere appreciation for the visit and describing it as both timely and highly impactful. She lauded NOUN for its continuous efforts to extend quality education to all sectors of society, with particular emphasis on the Nigerian Correctional Service community and their families.

Mrs. Jonathan assured the NOUN team of the school’s willingness to collaborate on future outreach programs, aimed at encouraging more members of the correctional community to embrace lifelong learning opportunities.

The advocacy visit underscores NOUN’s ongoing commitment to deepening public understanding of Open and Distance Learning and to strengthening partnerships with organizations that share its vision of expanding access to education for national development.