The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Uduma Uduma, has cautioned against reducing universities to mere certification centres, stressing that higher institutions must remain communities dedicated to truth, intellectual inquiry and critical thinking.
Speaking at a recent academic gathering, Prof. Uduma underscored that the core mandate of a university goes far beyond the issuance of degrees and diplomas. According to him, universities are fundamentally spaces where ideas are rigorously examined, knowledge is advanced and students are trained to think independently.
“A university must not be reduced to a factory for certificates,” the Vice-Chancellor stated. “It is a community of scholars and learners committed to the pursuit of truth, the development of critical reasoning and the shaping of responsible citizens.”
He noted that while certificates are important as evidence of academic achievement, they should be the outcome of a deeper educational process — one rooted in research, innovation and character formation. Prof. Uduma warned that when institutions focus excessively on paper qualifications, they risk undermining academic standards and weakening the broader purpose of higher education.
The NOUN VC further emphasised the need for universities to foster intellectual courage and open dialogue, particularly in a rapidly changing world shaped by technology, globalisation and complex social challenges. He said graduates must be equipped not only with technical skills but also with the ability to question assumptions, solve problems and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Highlighting NOUN’s commitment to accessible and quality education, Prof. Uduma reaffirmed the institution’s resolve to uphold academic integrity while expanding learning opportunities through open and distance education.
He called on policymakers, educators and stakeholders in the education sector to prioritise investments in research, faculty development and learning infrastructure, noting that a strong university system is critical to national growth and democratic stability.
“Universities must remain centres of truth,” he added, “where ideas are tested, knowledge is refined and society’s future leaders are formed.”
The remarks come amid ongoing national conversations about the quality and relevance of tertiary education, with stakeholders urging reforms that balance access, excellence and integrity in Nigeria’s university system.
Credit: Vanguard
