The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the Nigerian Association of Evaluators are putting modalities in place to begin a Certificate Programme in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).
To this end, a committee was drafted by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, to work alongside the association towards coming up with a workable document that will pave the way for the start of the programme.
This was arrived at on Thursday, September 10, 2026 when the President of the association, Prof. Umar Ibrahim led members of his team to a courtesy visit to the NOUN Vice-Chancellor at the headquarters in Abuja.
Prof. Uduma said without an existing Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) to approach the NUC, a degree programme would be an impossibility.
He however said the university, in collaboration with the association, can start with a certificate programme in M&E, before progressing to the higher certificates.
"We are willing. By our mandate, we are here to break barriers. We are here to ensure lifelong learning. I want to say that you are in the right place," the VC said.
Consequently, Prof. Uduma raised a committee, under the chairmanship of the Director, Academic Planning, Prof. Gregory Okagbare to work out a programme for the certificate course in M&E.
"If you are ready, if you work hard, then we can start it in January," he said.
The Vice-Chancellor added that to meet the January target, the committee must present its work within the next six weeks.
Earlier, the President of the Association, Prof. Umar Ibrahim, represented by Yetunde Adgoke, dropped the association's request to partner with the university in coming up with a course of study in M&E.
He said as the umbrella body for the practitioners in the field of monitoring and evaluation, there was the need to build capacity and professionalism.
He said members of the association cut across Nigeria, both in government and civil societies.
The president enumerated five pillars upon which the need for the partnership becomes even timely.
Ibrahim added that "we see you as an institution that can be able to drive that. All practitioners will be running to NOUN for their Master's and PhDs, if the partnership succeeds," he said.
Present at the visit were the DVC, Academic, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, DVC Administration, Prof. Shehu Usman Adamu, DVC TIR, Prof. Christine Ofulue, representative of the Registrar, Mr. Harrison, the Ag. Bursar, Mrs Ramatu Ibrahim, University Librarian, Prof. Angela Okpala, Directors of the Academic Planning, Advancement and Linkages, and Legal.
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