NOUN Promotes Flexible Learning Through Open and Distance Education at Abuja Trade Fair
ABUJA — October 8, 2026
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has used the ongoing 21st Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) to promote awareness of its flexible and affordable Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system, as part of efforts to expand access to higher education in Nigeria.
NOUN is participating in the trade fair, organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), primarily for advocacy and sensitisation, providing an opportunity to engage members of the public, prospective students and other stakeholders on the opportunities available through open and distance education.
Speaking at the university’s exhibition stand, Mr. Ibrahim Kabiru Sule of the Media Directorate, NOUN, explained that the institution operates differently from conventional campus-based universities, allowing students to pursue their education from virtually any location while combining their studies with employment, business and other personal commitments.
He said NOUN is a fully regularised university and provides students with access to digital learning materials, online presentations and lectures, while assignments and examinations are administered through its open and distance learning system.
According to Sule, prospective students seeking admission into the university are required to have five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, making NOUN an accessible option for a broad range of learners seeking university education.
He further highlighted the growing regional relevance of NOUN’s ODL model, noting that institutions from countries including Ghana and Mozambique have studied aspects of the university’s approach to examinations, study materials and student management within an open and distance learning environment.
Sule said the flexibility of the ODL system also provides students with greater financial control, as learners can register for fewer courses during periods when they have limited time or financial resources, thereby reducing their immediate academic expenses.
He added that students experiencing financial difficulties can temporarily suspend their studies and subsequently resume from where they stopped, providing an alternative to abandoning their education altogether.
The NOUN representative said the university’s presence at the 21st AITF underscores the importance of advocacy and public sensitisation in promoting flexible education and informing Nigerians about alternative pathways to acquiring university qualifications.
He noted that the trade fair provides an effective platform for NOUN to interact directly with prospective students, entrepreneurs, workers and other members of the business community, while demonstrating how open and distance learning can broaden access to education and respond to the changing needs of learners and working professionals.
What Investors and the Public Need to Know
NOUN’s participation in the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair demonstrates the growing intersection between education and the business community. Its ODL model offers working professionals, entrepreneurs and other learners an opportunity to pursue university education without necessarily leaving their jobs or businesses, while its flexible course registration and study arrangements can help learners manage both academic and financial commitments.
Edited by
Rosemary Aiyenale
