Unsettling Times for NOUN Law Students as University Halts Programme

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The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has left its Law students, particularly those in their final year, in a state of disarray following the sudden termination of their programme. This decision has sparked deep emotional and financial distress among the students, many of whom have invested years and significant sums of money into their education.


The Struggles of Ade Oludokun


Ade Oludokun, who enrolled in NOUN's Law programme in 2017 after losing his job, is one of the affected students. Despite facing severe financial difficulties and losing his salon and taxi businesses, Oludokun persisted in his studies with the help of friends. By 2022, he had invested over N2 million into his education. The news of the programme's cancellation was a devastating blow.


Oludokun expressed his anguish, stating, "I am in deep emotional pain regarding the termination of the LLB Law Programme at NOUN. The assurance of graduation and progression to Law school has been shattered, leaving me and many others in a state of turmoil."


 A Harrowing Experience for Bertram


Bertram, another affected student from the Port Harcourt Centre, faced extreme adversity during his time at NOUN. In 2018, he was kidnapped and held captive for a week, having to pay a ransom of N500,000 for his release. Despite such traumatic experiences and persistent technical issues with the university's portal, Bertram remained committed to his studies.


"I am a 500-level Law student at NOUN, and the sudden termination of our programme is a severe blow. The financial and emotional investments made by many of us are now at risk of being wasted," Bertram lamented.


 Sadiku's Plea for Intervention


Sadiku, who funded his Law studies with the support of his wife after losing his job, is another student left in despair. Having completed his final project and exams, he was on the brink of graduation when the programme was halted. Sadiku has called on the public and relevant authorities to intervene, emphasizing that the decision violates principles of equity and justice.


"The abrupt termination of the programme to pave the way for a new LLB programme is unfair. We request an additional academic year to allow us to complete our studies," he appealed.


Institutional and Regulatory Challenges


The NOUN Law programme, established in the early 2000s, has faced various challenges over the years, including issues with accreditation and the loss of academic records due to system crashes. Despite assurances from regulatory bodies, the programme's recurring infrastructural problems have significantly impacted students.


Legal Experts Weigh In


Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Isiaka Olagunju, criticized NOUN for admitting students into an unrecognized part-time Law degree programme. He suggested that the students should have been given the option to transfer to other universities to complete their studies.


Prof. Sam Erugo (SAN) noted that the NOUN Law programme has long conflicted with Nigerian legal education regulations, likening it to other part-time Law programmes that face similar scrutiny.


Ige Asemudara, founder of Mission Against Injustice in Nigeria, supported the decision to halt the programme, citing fairness and policy consistency in legal education.


 Students' Appeal for Justice


The affected students, under the banner of the Concerned Law Students of NOUN, have expressed their dismay and are appealing for the restoration of their programme. They seek government intervention to extend their academic tenure and allow them to complete their degrees.


The abrupt termination of NOUN's Law programme has left many students in a state of uncertainty and distress, highlighting the need for consistent and fair regulatory practices in educational institutions.

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