The National Open University of Nigeria is a Federal Open Distance Learning university set up by the government to facilitate education at tertiary level. It was the first of its kind on the coast of West Africa. The National open university of Nigeria arguably is the largest higher institution in Nigeria in terms of student population.
The university came into existence in July 1983 and till now runs with the mandate of top notch university education to the doorstep of every Nigerian. To this end the university has a reputation of providing flexible, cost-effective, functional and accessible education to improve the lot of the Nigerian population.
The establishment of National open university of Nigeria was the brain child of the then president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari. His aim was to give education to to all and sundry status and age as long as they are qualified
Sadly, in 1984, the government of general Buhari suspended the activities of the school with the claim that the action was corrupt.
Happily, in 2002, President Olusegun Obasanjo brought back the national Open University of Nigeria to life. The university offers several programs which provide different certificates on completion of necessary requirements.
National Open University of Nigeria- Objectives
The following are the objectives of the Open University of Nigeria:
Provision of Education for All and promotion of lifelong learning
Filling the gap created by the closure of outreaches/satellite campuses
Cost effectiveness
Improved economies of scale
Flexibility of delivery system
Maximum utilization of academic personnel
On the job teacher training
Poverty eradication, vocational and lifelong education
Provision of non-formal education
Reaching the unreached
Propagation of national orientation
National Open University of Nigeria – Faculties
Currently there are 7 faculties in the Open University of Nigeria. They include:
Faculties of Science and Technology
Faculties of Health Science
Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences
Faculties of Education
Faculty of Management Sciences
Centre for Life-Long Learning and Workplace Training
Academic Certificate Programmes
National Open University of Nigeria- Courses
The National Open University of Nigeria has about 75 study centers scattered all around the country. The school offers about 50 programs with a total of about 750 courses. All of the courses offered in the university have been accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The following are the courses offered by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN):
School of Arts And Social Science
i.
Undergraduate Degree Programmes
Programme Code
a)
B.Sc. Criminology and Security Studies
2201
b)
B.Sc. Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
2202
c)
B.Sc. Mass Communication
2204
d)
B.A. English
2205
e)
B.A French and International Relations
2206
f)
B.A Christian Theology
2207
g)
B.A Islamic Studies
2208
h)
B.Sc. Political Science
2211
i)
B.Sc. Economics
2212
Postgraduate Diploma Programmes
a)
Criminology and Security Studies
2301
b)
Journalism and Mass Communication
2302
c)
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
2303
d)
Christian Theology
2305
Masters Degree Programmes
a)
Sc. Mass Communication
2401
a)
Sc. Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
2402
Postgraduate Diploma Programmes
a)
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
4301
a)
Postgraduate Diploma in Distance Education (PGDDE)
4302
iii. Masters of Education (M.Ed.) Programmes
a)
Educational Administration and Planning
4401
b)
Educational Administration and Planning Science Education
4402
c)
Educational Technology
4403
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Programmes (By Research)
English (Language/ Literature) 2505
School of Agricultural Science
Undergraduate Programme
Programme Code
a)
B. Agric. Agricultural Economics and Agro Business
4203
b)
B. Agric. Agricultural Extension and Rural Development
4204
c)
B. Agric. Animal Science
4205
d)
B. Agric. Aquaculture and Fisheries Management
4206
e)
B. Agric. Soil and Land Resources Management
7205
h)
B. Agric. Crop Production and protection Sciences
7206
Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) Programme
PGD Agricultural Extension and Management 5301/7301
School of Education
Science Education
a)
B.Sc. (Ed.) Agricultural Science
4201
b)
B.Sc. (Ed.) Biology
4202
c)
B.Sc. (Ed.) Chemistry
4203
d)
B.Sc. (Ed.) Integrated Science
4204
e)
B.Sc. (Ed.) Computer Science
4205
f)
B.Sc. (Ed.) Mathematics
4206
g)
B.Sc. (Ed.) Physics
4207
h)
B.Sc. (Ed.) Business Education
4212
Master of Science Business Administration
a)
Master of Science Business Administration
3416
Arts & Humanities Education
S/N
Undergraduate Degree Programmes
Programme Code
a)
B.A (Ed.) Early Childhood Education
4208
b)
B.A (Ed.) English
4209
c)
B.A (Ed.) French
4210
d)
B.A (Ed.) Primary Education
2411
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Programme (By Course Work and Research)
Programmes
Programme Codes
a)
Educational Administration
4501
b)
Educational Planning
4502
c)
Educational Technology
4503
School of Science And Technology
UndergraduateProgrammes
ProgrammeCode
B.Sc. Computer Science
5202
B.Sc. Communication Technology
5203
B.Sc. Data Management
5204
B.Sc. Environmental Science & Resource Management
5205
B.Sc. Mathematics
5208
B.Sc. Mathematics/Computer
5209
B.Sc. Chemistry
5212
B.Sc. Biology
5213
B.Sc. Physics
5214
B.Sc. Financial Mathematics
5215
Postgraduate Diploma Programmes
a)
Digital Communications
5302
b)
Mobile Communications Technology (Wireless)
5304
c)
Information Technology
5305
Masters Degree Programme
a)
Information Technology (with Internet Options)
5401
School of Health Science
Undergraduate Programme
Programme Codes
a)
B.Sc. Community Health
5211/8201
b)
B.Sc. Dental Technology
8202
c)
B.Sc. Environmental Health
8203
d)
Mathematics Education
4504
e)
Science Education
4505
Postgraduate Diploma Programme
a)
PGD HIV/AIDS Education and Management
5303/8301
NOUN School of Law
i)
Undergraduate programme
Programme Code
a)
LLB (Law) Degree programme
6201
NOUN Postgraduate Diploma Programme
a)
Legislative Drafting
6301
School of Management Science
i
Undergraduate Programme
Programme Code
b)
B.Sc. Cooperatives Management
3201
c)
B.Sc. Entrepreneurship
3204
d)
B.Sc. Accounting (in Collaboration with ICAN)
3205
e)
B.Sc. Hospitality Management
3206
Postgraduate Diploma Programmes
a)
Financial Management
3309
b)
Public Administration
3311
c)
Business Administration
3313
NOUN Management Science Masters Degree Programmes
a)
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
3411
b)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
3413
c)
Master of Science Public Sector Management
3414
d)
Master of Science Public Administration
3415
Center For Lifelong Learning (CLL)
Certificate Programmes
i.
Proficiency Certificate Programmes
ProgrammeCode
a)
Call Centre Skills
0004
b)
Mobile Phone Repair
0005
University (Academic) Certificate Programmes
a)
Computer Literacy
1004
b)
Dental Office Practice
1017
c)
Arabic and Islamic Studies
1022
d)
Christian Theology
1023
e)
French
1024
f)
Hotel and Catering Management
1025
Diploma Programmes
a)
Business Communication
1201
b)
Entrepreneurship
1205
c)
Financial Management
1206
d)
Marketing
1207
e)
Medical Office Practice
1208
f)
Arabic and Islamic Studies
1218
Technological platforms of the Open University of Nigeria of Nigeria
The university developed an iLearn platform to facilitate smooth students learning experience. The platform creates ease of access to excellent education. It provides the following:
Online class discussions organized by NOUN facilitators.
Provision of answers to questions asked by students especially on difficult issues regarding their courses of study.
Collaboration tools to allow for communication among students, facilitators, faculty members, etc.
More efficient study tools, audio and video resources, online materials that can be printed or downloaded.
Access to assignments, quizzes and self-study assessment tools.
National Open University of Nigeria- Exams
The university conducts its exams using the Computer Based Test method for the initial two years of study. The only faculty that is exempted is Law which conducts pen-on-paper exams from year 1 of study. Other courses start POP exam format from the third year of study till they round up their programmes.
National Open University of Nigeria- Facilities
The Open University of Nigeria provides the students the following facilities:
E-library
Radio station
E-courseware
The university also offers scholarships to students based on requirements prescribed by the Vice Chancellor.
How to Apply to Open University of Nigeria
To apply to the university take the following steps:
On the Home Page, go to the Menu Bar, Click on Apply for Admission
Select either Undergraduate Programme or Postgraduate Programme. Other programme is not available at the moment
Goto “Choose Faculty” (note it can be found at the left hand side of the screen)
Select Faculty
Fill displayed form
Click below to view admission criteria
Click “Apply” to proceed.
Take note of the UNIQUE ID displayed
Click ‘Continue’ button
Select Bank Branch as payment type
Click “Pay”
Copy and take your RRR number to any bank branch for payment.
After payment
Perform step 1 to 3
Goto “Continue After Payment”
Input Unique ID, RRR number and Programme
Click “Proceed”
Fill Form. Note: all fields marked with red star are compulsory.
After filling the form
Click “Submit”
Print Admission Letter
Visit the nearest study center for screening
National Open University of Nigeria – Final Words
If you are considering furthering your studies, then National Open University of Nigeria is a good option. More especially, if you’re a very busy person. The study pattern is flexible and the fee is affordable.
Above all, all the courses they offer are NUC accredited, which is the highest body that regulates universities in Nigeria. So, feel free to increase your knowledge in your area of endeavor from the Open University of Nigeria
