The Governing Council of National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, has assured that the selection process of the new Vice Chancellor of the institution will be fair and just to all the contestants.
The assurance follows reports that the names of some members and candidates jostling for the position were omitted from the list of congregation released by the institution on Monday but were later included, upon discovery.
This comes as the tenure the current VC, Prof. Olufemi Peter, ends on February 11, 2026.
In a statement on Thursday by the NOUN Director, Media and Publicity, Mr Ibrahim Sheme, the governing council explained that the earlier omission could not have disqualified the individuals from the contest since the process was still ongoing.
He described the report as one-sided, noting that it was meant to misinform the public.
“The said news item focused on a potential candidate for the post of VC whose name was listed in a congregation list, alleging that the said candidate could not be a candidate for the post.
“The University hereby categorically states that the names of members on the so-called congregation’s list are not final and in no way represent the list of members qualified to be Vice-Chancellor.
“Indeed, the name of the individual referenced in the report has been included in the congregation list.
“The deadline for applications for the post, as advertised in three national newspapers, has not yet elapsed. The search for the next VC is therefore not foreclosed until the advertised deadline is reached.
“The Council assures the University community that the selection process will be fair and just to all.
“The public is advised to ignore any report aimed at misinforming and stoking the embers of controversy on the selection process,” Mr Sheme said.
