The Director of the Abuja Model Study Centre, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Bamikole Ogunleye, has introduced a series of reforms aimed at improving power supply, strengthening examination security, enhancing student support services and promoting accountability among staff.
Ogunleye, who has been in office for about four months, said the initiatives were designed to address operational challenges, improve service delivery and create a more conducive learning environment for students.
Speaking in an interview with the NOUN News Correspondent in his office, the director said his previous experience in managing other study centres had helped him settle into the role and identify areas requiring urgent intervention.
One of the major interventions, he said, was the installation of a 12kVA solar power system in the centre’s electronic examination hall to minimise disruptions caused by unreliable electricity supply.
He explained that the previous reliance on generators during examinations often created difficulties for students and management whenever the equipment developed faults.
With the new solar installation, Ogunleye said, the centre could switch between the national grid, solar power and its generator to ensure uninterrupted examinations while reducing diesel consumption.
He also disclosed plans to install 16 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the pen-on-paper examination hall before the next semester’s examinations.
According to him, the surveillance system would provide comprehensive monitoring of the examination hall and allow authorised personnel to observe activities remotely through an application.
He added that the proposed system would not require recurring subscription payments, making it a sustainable investment in examination monitoring and security.
The director further disclosed that the centre’s generator had been refurbished with the support of the university management and was now functioning effectively.
He said the number of solar streetlights on the campus had increased from 38 to 51, while a prominent sign bearing the university’s name had been installed at the entrance gate to improve the centre’s visibility.
Ogunleye said the centre was prioritising initiatives to improve students’ academic performance and overall university experience.
He disclosed plans to introduce organised group study sessions from the next semester under the guidance of the Counselling Unit.
The proposed sessions would group students according to their areas of specialisation and registered courses to encourage collaborative learning and peer-to-peer tutorials.
He said students had welcomed the proposal, expressing enthusiasm about the opportunity to study together at the centre.
The director also underscored the importance of the centre’s business centre in providing reliable assistance with registration and other academic processes.
He cautioned students against relying on external cybercafés to complete their Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs), explaining that the practice could deprive them of essential learning opportunities and negatively affect their examination performance.
Ogunleye urged students to take responsibility for their course registration and maintain control of their university portals rather than allowing third parties to manage their academic activities.
He said improving the student experience was essential to building confidence in the university and encouraging students to recommend NOUN to their friends and family members.
As preparations for the forthcoming examinations gathered momentum, Ogunleye said the centre had taken steps to ensure that its facilities, equipment and personnel were ready.
He disclosed that examination materials had been procured, while technicians had been engaged to repair and service printers and photocopying machines ahead of the exercise.
The director also said he had held a pre-examination briefing with students to explain the expected standards of conduct, the importance of complying with invigilators’ instructions and the consequences of examination malpractice.
Ogunleye expressed appreciation to the university management, under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, for its support and willingness to address challenges affecting study centres.
He noted that regular interactions with the management had provided opportunities for centre administrators to present their concerns and contribute to efforts to improve service delivery.
He called on staff members to cooperate with the centre’s management in pursuing its development goals, stressing that collective effort was essential to achieving lasting progress.
The initiatives, he said, reflected the centre’s determination to provide students with a more reliable, secure and supportive learning environment.
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