The foundation Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Emeritus Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, has disclosed that the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution was established in 2003 following a directive by the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to create “a fresh National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).”

Professor Jegede explained that the present NOUN—now the largest ODL institution in West Africa—is entirely different from the former National Open University (NOU), which was abruptly shut down on March 31, 1984, by the then Military Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari.

He made this clarification during an interview with the NOUN News media crew in his office in Abuja, while reflecting on the challenges encountered in the early years following the university’s establishment.

According to him, it is erroneous for some members of staff to assume that NOUN was merely revived in 2003, stressing that the institution was newly established in line with President Obasanjo’s directive, and not a resuscitation of the defunct NOU.

“The story of how the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) came into existence is a very long, interesting, fortuitous, and bittersweet journey for me. As of today, half of that story has never been told,” Professor Jegede said.

Recalling the difficulties and obstacles that marked the university’s formative years, the Professor of Science Education described the experience as “a serious challenge.”

He noted that a declaration made by Major General Muhammadu Buhari during the 1984/1985 Annual Budget broadcast led to the immediate and total closure of the former university.

“Nigeria therefore became the only country to establish an open university and shut it down barely a year later. The unfortunate implication was that the National Open University (NOU) was stillborn. Its closure could not be reversed,” he stated.

Professor Jegede further revealed that during the E-9 Expert Meeting of Ministers of Education held in Beijing, China, from August 21 to 24, 2001, President Obasanjo, in the presence of the then Minister of Education, Professor Babalola Borishade; Chief Olopade; Ambassador Olusanmokoun, Nigeria’s Consul-General in Hong Kong; and the Nigerian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, directed him to establish “a fresh National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).”

He added that the President also planned to make a formal pronouncement on Open and Distance Learning and the establishment of NOUN during his October 1, 2001 Independence Day address to the nation.

Speaking on his expectations for the university’s sustainability and global relevance, Professor Jegede advised NOUN to expand its reach beyond Nigeria by attracting students from across Africa and other parts of the world, noting that ODL has become a dominant model of education globally.

He further urged the university to diversify its academic programmes, allowing emerging private open universities to focus on first-degree programmes, while NOUN positions itself as a leader in advanced and specialised offerings.

In addition, he emphasized the need for NOUN to align with evolving technological trends by developing a strong and efficient consultancy arm that would support software development experts and contribute to shaping the future of emerging technologies in Africa.