Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, on Wednesday assumed office as the new Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), with a pledge to uphold the university’s vision of providing access to quality higher education.
Uduma, a Professor of Philosophy and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of NOUN, made the pledge during a ceremony where his predecessor, Prof. Olufemi Ayinde Peters, handed over the leadership baton to him as Vice-Chancellor for the next five years
Uduma, who is the sixth Vice-Chancellor of the institution, promised to strengthening study centres, enhance learner support systems and improve on ICT and digital infrastructure.
He added that the university under his leadership would sustain the integrity of e-examinations, while promoting staff welfare, sustaining quality assurance and accreditation standards.
“Leadership is not ornamental; it is functional. It is not a posture of arrival, but a posture of responsibility.”
In his valedictory speech, Prof. Peters appreciated the NOUN Council, Senate, principal officers and staff who stood by him throughout his five-year tenure.
“I am profoundly grateful to God Almighty for raising me when hope seems lost. God has been good to Femi Peters,” he added.
He commended his successor for visiting various directorates, units and study centres during the transition period, noting that this had prepared him to hit the ground running.
