For four students of the National Open University of Nigeria, Makurdi Study Centre, Benue State, higher education is more than earning a degree. It is a story of personal growth, professional development and renewed hope.
Their testimonies, during an interview with the NOUN News correspondent in Makurdi, show how NOUN’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system is opening doors for people from diverse backgrounds to pursue academic ambitions while balancing work, family and other responsibilities.
From Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution to Public Health and Information Technology, their experiences underscore the value of flexible learning, resilience and effective learner support.
Iorkyosu Msurshima Comfort, a B.Sc. Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution student in the Faculty of Social Sciences, said NOUN reinforced her conviction that circumstances should not limit educational aspirations.
Describing her experience as rewarding, Comfort said the ODL system's flexibility has been crucial to her journey.
She noted that the programme has deepened her understanding of conflict dynamics and the role of dialogue, tolerance, mediation and reconciliation in building peaceful communities.
“NOUN is not just giving me a degree; it is helping me become the person I aspire to be,” she said.
For Hennan Mkeghter Christiana, B.Sc. Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, the programme is an opportunity to expand her professional horizon beyond the laboratory.
A practising Medical Laboratory Technician, Christiana said her interest in public health was driven by a desire to understand healthcare beyond diagnostics, especially in disease prevention, health education and community wellbeing.
She commended the flexibility of NOUN’s learning model, which allows her to combine studies with work, and lauded staff of the Makurdi Study Centre for being approachable and supportive.
Similarly, Ayua Luter Timothy, B.Sc. Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, said his journey to becoming a NOUN student was initially challenging.Timothy recalled that he encountered difficulties at the point of admission until a staff member at the centre encouraged him to submit his documents and guided him through the admission, registration and matriculation processes.
He expressed appreciation for the support, describing NOUN as an institution that offers a positive learning experience.
On his part, Ephraim Tarfa, an M.Sc. Information Technology student, enrolling in NOUN was a strategic career decision.
As a working professional in a fast-evolving tech environment, Tarfa said he needed a programme that would strengthen his skills without disrupting his job.
He said the ODL model has helped him build self-discipline, time management and independent learning skills, while enabling him to link theory with practical challenges in the workplace.
Tarfa also commended the Makurdi Centre staff for their accessibility and commitment to students.
Collectively, the students’ experiences highlight the impact of accessible higher education and responsive learner support in helping Nigerians achieve their aspirations, regardless of professional, personal or geographical constraints.
For them, NOUN Makurdi is more than a study centre; it is a platform to grow, acquire relevant skills, and prepare to make a difference.
- Log in to post comments
- 87 views
