By Our Correspondent
The Federal Government, on Wednesday, inaugurated a new campus of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Surulere, Ojuelegba area of Lagos.
At the inauguration, the government renewed its commitment to make education more accessible to Nigerians.
Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, announced the pledge during inauguration of the Surulere Campus of the university.
Sununu said the Federal Government would ensure that NOUN certificate is one to be proud of and reckoned with.
He said the new campus is in line with the eight-point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“It aimed at enhancing access to education by all,” he said. The minister also enjoined NOUN management and prospective students to utilise the facilities provided well.
“This centre has added slots and access to education. You can operate from your neighbourhood, particularly for students who want to pursue their academic careers.
“The Federal Ministry of Education want to ensure full compliance with President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda,” he said.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, also attended the inauguration. He said NOUN’s programmes would equip learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in today’s competitive environment.
“The unique approach to education, focusing on flexibility and open access, is particularly significant in our rapidly changing world.
“It caters, not just to the traditional student, but also to working professionals, entrepreneurs and lifelong learners who seek to enhance their knowledge and skills to meet the evolving demands of the global economy.
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“The newly established campus in Surulere is a sign of hope and opportunity. It promises to be a hub of learning and innovation.
“It will also contribute significantly to the local economy, create jobs and foster community development.
“The campus will make higher education more accessible, especially for those who may have faced barriers to pursuing their academic aspirations,” Abbas added.
Also, the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila spoke on the essence of building the campus, which is to bring quality tertiary education to the doorsteps of people at the grassroots.
“The idea is to ensure that distance and access to education no longer limit the ability of people to achieve big dreams and grand ambitions.
“This campus is part of a sustained effort to guarantee educational access at all levels. And for all the people of Surulere, and indeed, people of Lagos State.
“This state is the Centre of Excellence. We must try to be excellent in all things.
“But more importantly, we must ensure that the generations coming after us have the training and the capacity to sustain excellence and take it to greater heights than we can even imagine.
“If we can ensure access to quality healthcare for our people and ensure that everybody who desires a good education gets it, this nation will be unbeatable in every sphere,” he added.
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