Heart-rendering stories of NOUN law students as varsity cancels programme

These are definitely challenging times for the Law students of the National Open University of Nigeria, especially those in their final year, after they had their programme terminated by the authorities of the tertiary institution, writes GRACE EDEMA

Having lost his job in 2017, Ade Oludokun sought to enhance his prospects by returning to school to study Law. He opted for the National Open University of Nigeria as his institution of choice. However, after a few years, he faced financial difficulties when he lost his salon and taxi business, jeopardising his ability to fund his studies. In 2022, with the support of his friends, he managed to resume his programme. With over N2m invested in it, he was devastated to learn of the university’s decision to cancel the programme.

The National Open University of Nigeria, established in 2002, is an Open and Distance Learning institution with 103 Study Centres spread across the geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

In a state of sadness and confusion, he stated: “I am in deep emotional pain regarding the termination of the LLB Law Programme at the National Open University of Nigeria by the school authorities. When I was admitted to the institution, there was no indication that my course would be terminated midway. They assured me of graduation and progression to Law school, but unfortunately, their system has continually complicated the entire process.

“Back in 2017 when I lost the financial means to continue my studies, I was in such despair that I almost took my life. It was by the grace of God that I didn’t do so. However, law has always been my passion and professional aspiration, and I never imagined my life without achieving this goal. This alone illustrates the depth of my current emotional turmoil. The National Open University of Nigeria never considered how devastating it would be to terminate my LLB Law Programme just as I was nearing graduation in 500 Level, with only seven credit units left to complete.

“In this regard, I am lodging a grievous complaint that, after investing over N1.5m, along with significant time, effort, and dedication towards my Law studies, NOUN has callously terminated my course.”

Out of concern for potential victimisation, some affected students preferred not to disclose their identities.

Bertram, who chose to enrol at the Port Harcourt NOUN Centre, recounted a harrowing experience of being kidnapped on his way to the centre in 2018. He told our correspondent that he had to pay a ransom of N500k after being held captive for a week.

“I used to reside in Ahoada. One day, while en route to the NOUN Port Harcourt study centre, my car was ambushed by kidnappers and I was abducted. I remained in captivity for a week without any contact with the outside world.”

He expressed dismay that despite his unwavering commitment to the programme, the university cancelled it.

“I am a 500-level Law undergraduate student at the National Open University of Nigeria, Port Harcourt Study Centre. During my time at NOUN, I faced several challenges. In addition to being kidnapped along the PH East/West Road, in the academic year 2015/2016, the school portal crashed, resulting in the loss of that year’s academic results. These incidents significantly disrupted my studies and delayed my progress toward completing the programme.

“In the first semester of 2023, rumours began circulating about the imminent closure of the Law degree programme by the end of the year. To find a resolution, many of us, anticipating the impact, identified ourselves and sought an extension of the programme through appeals to the VC and Dean of the Faculty, via letters and numerous visits to the school. Unfortunately, our requests were not positively received. Subsequently, we sought intervention from the National Assembly (House of Representatives). Hearings were conducted between the school management and the affected students, and closed-door meetings were held between the school and the committee on tertiary institutions of the House of Representatives. Regrettably, the outcome of these meetings was never communicated to us, the affected students.”

“At the outset of the first semester of 2024, students from the faculty discovered that they were unable to access the portals, resulting in a disruption of their studies and the abrupt closure of the Law programme,” he said.

He urged the NOUN university system, stating, “This is an unfortunate situation that has caused frustration and dashed the dreams and ambitions of aspiring lawyers who aim to contribute to national development. Significant financial investments, time, and personal sacrifices have been made in pursuit of this programme, which has now been abruptly terminated without any formal notification. This is an appeal to the relevant authorities to intervene and compel the management of the National Open University of Nigeria to restore access to the portals, allowing us to continue and complete our studies.”

Sadiku recounted how he financed his Law programme at NOUN with the support of his wife after losing his job. He mentioned completing his projects and exams, only to be shocked by the sudden halt of the programme.

He stated, “We urgently appeal to the public and relevant authorities to intervene and compel NOUN management to reconsider its unjust termination of the Law programme. This decision not only violates our right to education but also contradicts principles of equity, fairness, justice, and natural law.”

For Sadiku, all he was left with was to finish the remaining six courses and graduate as he had completed his final project and received his grade.

“It is incredibly painful to be dismissed at this critical stage. Adding to the pain is the knowledge that the university made this decision to pave the way for a new LLB programme. Formerly employed at International Brewery in Ilesa, Osun State, until I lost my job in 2017, I managed to fund my education with the support of my spouse. Earlier this year, I secured a teaching position.

Under the banner of the Concerned Law Students of the National Open University of Nigeria, we express our dismay over the unjust treatment inflicted upon us by the university management – an act that blatantly violates our fundamental human rights.”

Sadiku narrated some other challenges of the system.

“The National Open University of Nigeria was established in the early 2000s with a promise to provide accessible education, particularly through its Law programme launched in 2002/2003. Despite initial accreditation challenges, the programme continued until 2015. However, recurring infrastructural issues, including the loss of academic records, have plagued the university over the years. Despite assurances of accreditation progress, students faced setbacks such as system crashes, requiring them to retake previously passed courses. Despite these challenges, some NOUN Law graduates were admitted to the Nigerian Law School under special remedial programmes after assurances from regulatory bodies.’’

He appealed to the government and NOUN management to grant an additional academic year to allow affected students to complete their studies and increase the number of units allowed for registration to accommodate students with outstanding credits.

Legal professional reacts

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Isiaka Olagunju, maintained that NOUN knew that the admission was not recognised because a part-time Law degree was not acceptable in Nigeria.

“Unfortunately, the Law programme at NOUN was cancelled. I agree that options should have been given to the students, particularly 500-Level students, to be affiliated with other universities to complete their programme, instead of total cancellation.

“The management of NOUN should be held responsible for the students’ predicaments. They had been aware that a part-time Law degree was not acceptable in Nigeria. That is the only option because the admission in the first instance was not recognised,” Olagunju said.

Prof. Sam Erugo (SAN) said, “The truth is, the NOUN Law degree programme has consistently been viewed as conflicting with Nigerian laws that regulate legal training, akin to evening and part-time Law programmes. Legal professions are regulated worldwide, including in Nigeria. Earlier graduates of the NOUN Law programme faced years of exclusion from the Nigerian Law School until a compromise was reached. They were required to complete a remedial one-year programme at the Law School before joining graduates from regular Nigerian universities for the Bar Part 2 programme. This compromise was made in the interest of fairness and justice, though it did not alter the existing regulations. These pioneer students are currently progressing through the Law School.

“Therefore, the cessation of the NOUN Law degree programme was not sudden; discussions surrounding it have been ongoing for some time. Stakeholders would have taken steps to ensure that all legitimately enrolled NOUN law students can graduate.”

A lawyer and founder of Mission Against Injustice in Nigeria, Ige Asemudara, said allowing NOUN’s Law programme to continue would undermine regulatory policies and fairness to other aspiring lawyers, saying the decision to halt the programme aligned with the need for consistent policy enforcement and fairness in legal education.

He said, “Some of these things have implications. Apart from the inadequacies of the NOUN programme, the quota system was breached. The Law school facilities were unduly strained. Those who had done part-time law abroad or at some Nigerian universities but were denied admission to Nigerian Law School genuinely felt that it was unfair to them. So, there was never a time the Law programme at NOUN could be allowed to continue. It slapped policy on its face and made a mockery of the capacity of the Council to regulate Law programmes. I am not surprised at the decision to stop the programme. I am not perturbed by it.”

NOUN

Efforts made by our correspondent to get the NOUN management to react were unsuccessful, as calls put through to NOUN PRO, Mallam Ibrahim Sheme, and the Head of Department, Faculty of Law, Dr Ernest Ugbeje, were not picked up, nor did they respond to the messages sent to them by our correspondent.