The Management of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has held discussions with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) on reviewing the structure of its Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSC) programme.
The move by the university aims to accommodate a wider range of qualified candidates.
The meeting took place on Thursday, May 7, 2026, when the Vice -Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma led an 11-man courtesy visit to the NMCS office. in Abuja.
According to the VC, the visit was to align the university’s Open and Distance Learning approach with the council’s regulatory standards.
Prof. Uduma stated that NOUN’s mandate is to make education accessible to all Nigerians regardless of background, citing the recent graduation of 51 inmates at the university’s last convocation as an example of its commitment.
“We are here to ensure that our nursing programme reflects that same inclusivity.
“A significant number of Nigerians who wish to pursue nursing are unable to enrol under the current admission structure.
"We are proposing a framework that allows O’Level holders to gain entry while meeting all professional and clinical requirements," he said.
Uduma assured the council that NOUN would not compromise on standards and is prepared to provide the necessary medical facilities, supervise clinical attachments, and practical training components in line with NMCN guidelines.
“Open and Distance Learning has come to stay globally. We are ready to abide by your regulations and work within your framework,” he added.
Acting Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Helen Kwanashie said NOUN has the academic capacity and infrastructure to train competent nurses who can contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s healthcare delivery.
She noted that the initiative could also support the development of generic nurses trained from the secondary school level, thereby strengthening the healthcare workforce.
On his part, the DVC Administration, Prof. Shehu Usman Adamu, emphasised that all proposed training locations would be domiciled and operated according to NMCN approval and supervision.
He commended the council for its consistent regulatory role in maintaining professional standards in the country.
Responding, the Registrar/CEO, NMCN, Dr. Hassan Ndagi, thanked the NOUN delegation for the visit and acknowledged the university’s vision and the history it shared during the engagement.
Ndagi described the presentation as stimulating and motivating, and urged NOUN to prepare and submit a detailed concept note for the council’s review.
The Registrar said the council would study the document and subsequently convene a technical meeting with NOUN’s management to deliberate on the next steps and modalities for implementation.
The VC's entourage were his deputies in charge of academics, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, and Administration, Prof. Shehu Usman Adamu, the Registrar, Mr. Oladipo Ajayi, the Bursar, Malam Nasiru Marafa, senior faculty members from the Faculty of Health Sciences who are expected to work closely with the council on developing the proposed framework and other senior staff of the institution.
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