University in Nigeria
Abuja, FCT
University profile
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is Nigeria's federal open and distance learning (ODL) university. Its headquarters are at University Village, Plot 91, Cadastral Zone, Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Jabi, Abuja, and it is governed by the National Open University Act No. 6 of 1983. Its stated mission is to provide functional, cost-effective, flexible learning that adds life-long value to quality education for all who seek knowledge.
NOUN has no conventional lecture-based campus teaching. Courses are delivered through specially prepared self-study materials, online learning platforms, audio and video resources and broadcasts, and learners attend study centres for registration, screening, tutorials and examinations. The model is described as patterned on India's Indira Gandhi National Open University. Enrolment is open throughout the year, with two semesters per academic year, so working adults can study without leaving their jobs or home areas.
Academic work is organised in nine faculties: Agricultural Sciences, Arts, Computing, Education, Health Sciences, Law, Management Sciences, Sciences and Social Sciences. More than 50 programmes are offered across certificate, diploma, bachelor's (B.A., B.Sc., B.Ed., B.Agric., LL.B. and Nursing), postgraduate diploma, master's (M.Sc., M.A., M.Ed., LL.M., executive MBA/MPA) and Ph.D. levels. Postgraduate programmes are overseen by the School of Postgraduate Studies, and the Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) offers postgraduate programmes in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and management information systems.
Student support includes the Gabriel Afolabi Ojo Central Library at the Jabi headquarters, faculty and study centre libraries, a University Clinic at headquarters, the Directorate of Counselling Services and Career Development, an e-ticketing support platform for enrolled students, a Students' Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) directorate for programmes that require it, and the campus radio station NOUN 105.9 FM.
Postgraduate programmes are approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC). Applicants from outside Nigeria may choose their country of residence in the online application.
The Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning awards scholarships annually for Master's, Ph.D. and short professional courses. Priority fields are Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and Management Information Systems, with short courses in areas such as cloud computing, data analysis, programming and digital literacy.
NELFUND student loan applications are linked from the university's home page at nelf.gov.ng.
Browse the scholarships listed for National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja and check each award’s eligibility.
View scholarships for National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja →Applications are made online through the NOUN portal (nouonline.nou.edu.ng). The applicant selects Undergraduate or Postgraduate, chooses a faculty, programme and level, and views the entry requirements before applying. A unique ID is generated, a Remita RRR is paid at a bank or online, and the applicant then completes and submits the application form, prints the admission letter and goes to a study centre for screening. After screening, the student signs up with a matriculation number and registers for the semester and courses.
Applications are open throughout the year, January to December; course registration runs by semester, with two semesters per academic year. The application form fee is N5,000 for undergraduate programmes, N7,500 for postgraduate diploma and Master's programmes, and N20,000 for Ph.D.
Applicants need at least five O-Level credits including English Language and Mathematics (some programmes accept a pass in Mathematics). Postgraduate Diploma applicants need a bachelor's degree (minimum pass) from a recognised university or an HND with at least Lower Credit; the PGD in Legislative Drafting requires a call to the Bar. Master's applicants need a bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Lower in a relevant field, or a postgraduate diploma in a related field. Ph.D. applicants need a relevant master's degree with an average of at least 60% or a CGPA of at least 4.0 on a 5-point scale. Except for Ph.D. programmes, provisional admission is granted on meeting the minimum requirements. Postgraduate admissions: [email protected].
NOUN operates from its Jabi, Abuja headquarters and a national network of study centres grouped by geo-political zone, where learners register, are screened, attend tutorials and write examinations.
The library system also includes about 27 study centre libraries and zonal libraries, open 8:00 to 16:00 Monday to Friday, with e-resources such as LawPavilion, JSTOR and ScienceDirect. The University Clinic offers out-patient consultations and minor procedures, with medication provided free of charge.
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