President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Education to henceforth mobilise graduates of the National Open University (NOUN) for the National Youth Service Corps scheme (NYSC).
Also, the President directed the Council for Legal Education to admit graduates of law from the NOUN into the Nigerian Law School so they can be called to the Nigerian Bar.
The President gave the directives last weekend at the convocation ceremony of the NOUN in Abuja.
President Tinubu who spoke through the Deputy Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Dr. Noel Biodun Saliu, who represented him at the event said: “With the changing demographics of our great nation, the government has recognised the importance of allowing NOUN graduates to participate in the NYSC scheme.
“The doors of the Law School are now open to the graduates, ensuring equal opportunities for all. Any remaining concerns or uncertainties should be promptly addressed by the Federal Ministry of Education.
“We will continue to do this in order to improve quality, access, and affordability.
“Government is, therefore, committed through the Federal Ministry of Education and the NUC to provide the enabling environment to ensure a good delivery of this mode of education in Nigeria.”
Graduates from the NOUN have faced series of discriminations in Nigeria including being shutout from participating in the NYSC and enrolling in the Nigerian Law School.
The recent embarrassment meted to Ms. Vera Anyim by the senior pastor of Dunamis Church Abuja, Mr. Paul Enenche was largely attributed to the fact that the lady said she graduated from the NOUN.