Fifty-six inmates held in correctional facilities across Nigeria are among thousands of students scheduled to graduate this weekend at the 15th convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
The graduates are part of a total of 24,575 students who will be awarded various academic qualifications during the ceremony scheduled for April 18, taking place across NOUN study centres nationwide.
The Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma Uduma, confirmed in Abuja that the inmates successfully completed their academic programmes while serving their sentences, benefiting from the university’s flexible distance learning system.
According to him, the initiative demonstrates NOUN’s commitment to expanding access to education for all categories of learners, including those in correctional custody.
“The inmates are part of the graduating set of 24,575 students,” he said, noting that the institution’s approach ensures that education remains accessible regardless of a person’s situation.
He explained that the decision to include inmates in academic programmes is rooted in the belief that individuals can still be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society through education.
Uduma added that the participation of inmates in the convocation goes beyond formality, describing it as evidence of real academic achievement and personal development.
“For us, it is not only about awarding certificates but about restoring dignity, rebuilding identity and reaffirming humanity,” he said.
He further stressed that the programme reflects NOUN’s broader mission of inclusive education and its role in supporting rehabilitation through learning opportunities.
According to him, the success recorded by the inmate-students highlights the transformative impact of education and the importance of continued investment in open and distance learning.
All graduating students, including those in correctional centres, are expected to participate in the ceremony from their respective locations, with certificates to be issued after the event.
