Fifty six inmates serving sentences in correctional centres across Nigeria will graduate with university degrees on April 18, joining 24,575 students at the 15th convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria, held across its study centres nationwide.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Uduma Uduma, addressing a pre convocation press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, confirmed that the inmates completed their academic programmes through the university's Open and Distance Learning model, which delivers lectures, coursework and examinations directly inside custodial facilities.

"The inmates are among the 24,575 students graduating at the ceremony, reflecting the university's broad reach and inclusive approach to learning, which ensures that education remains accessible to diverse groups across Nigeria," Uduma stated.

The Vice Chancellor described the decision to extend academic programmes into correctional centres as rooted in a fundamental institutional belief. "For us, it is not just about awarding certificates; it is about restoring dignity, rebuilding identity and reaffirming humanity," he said, adding that the university's philosophy holds that "no human being is beyond redemption."

Uduma maintained that the inmates' participation in the convocation was not ceremonial but a product of genuine academic effort and personal transformation. He positioned the initiative as central to the university's broader mandate of widening access and leaving no segment of society behind.

"The inclusion of inmates aligns with NOUN's broader mandate of widening access to education and ensuring that no segment of society is excluded. The initiative demonstrates how education can serve as a tool for rehabilitation and reintegration, offering inmates a pathway to rebuild their lives after incarceration. The success of inmates in the programme underscores the transformative power of knowledge and the need for sustained investment in inclusive education," he added.

All 24,575 graduates, including those in custody, are expected to participate in the ceremony from their respective locations, with certificates to be issued immediately after the convocation. Uduma described the immediate issuance of certificates as a shift towards efficiency and student focused service delivery.

The 2026 graduating cohort spans multiple faculties and social backgrounds, with the university reaffirming its long term vision of becoming a leading institution in inclusive and flexible learning across Africa.