No fewer than 56 inmates in correctional facilities across Nigeria are set to graduate with university degrees at the upcoming convocation ceremony of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
The inmates form part of a total of 24,575 students who will be awarded various qualifications during the institution’s 15th convocation scheduled for April 18, 2026, across its study centres nationwide.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Uduma Uduma, confirmed that the inmates successfully completed their academic programmes through the university’s distance learning platform while serving their sentences.
He explained that the initiative reflects the university’s commitment to inclusive education, ensuring that learning opportunities are accessible to all segments of society, regardless of their circumstances.
According to him, the programme is rooted in the belief that every individual has the capacity for change and should not be denied access to education.
Uduma emphasised that the inmates’ graduation represents more than a ceremonial gesture, noting that it is the result of genuine academic effort and personal growth.
He added that the initiative is aimed at restoring dignity, rebuilding lives, and promoting reintegration into society after incarceration.
The Vice-Chancellor further stated that providing education within custodial centres highlights the role of knowledge as a powerful tool for rehabilitation and underscores the importance of sustained investment in inclusive learning systems.
All graduating students, including those in correctional facilities, are expected to participate in the convocation from their respective locations, with certificates to be issued immediately after the ceremony.
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