Despite applauding President Bola Tinubu's administration for what they described as student friendly education policies, the Congress of National Open University of Nigeria Students has raised critical concerns about ongoing exclusions affecting their members.
The National President, Comrade Daudu Ahemode Jeffrey, issued a statement on Thursday highlighting two major demands: full mobilisation of NOUN graduates for the National Youth Service Corps scheme and immediate implementation of the Federal Government's student loan facility for the institution's students.
Jeffrey described the continued denial of NYSC access to NOUN graduates as educational inequality and social injustice, insisting they are bona fide Nigerian graduates deserving equal treatment with their counterparts from conventional universities.
He urged President Tinubu, through the Minister of Education, to immediately facilitate the full mobilisation of NOUN graduates for national service, noting that the exclusion undermines the administration's commitment to inclusive education.
On the student loan scheme, Jeffrey emphasised that access to the facility would enable eligible students to complete their programmes without financial hardship, aligning with the government's stated goal of removing economic barriers to education.
The students' leader praised the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, for driving administrative reforms and improving academic delivery within the institution, describing these efforts as commendable steps toward enhancing learning outcomes.
Jeffrey commended President Tinubu for his commitment to repositioning education for national development, stating that the administration's policies signalled renewed hope for Nigerian youths seeking quality and inclusive education.
However, he warned individuals or groups attempting to factionalise or destabilise the students' body to desist immediately, stressing that the Congress would deploy all lawful and constitutional means to defend its mandate and protect its leadership from unlawful interference.
The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with government authorities and university management to advance the welfare and academic rights of its members nationwide, signalling readiness for dialogue even as it presses for urgent resolution of the outstanding issues affecting NOUN students.
The demands come as thousands of NOUN graduates await NYSC deployment, and many current students seek financial support to continue their studies in the distance learning institution.
