NOUN Begins Assessment of Medical Facilities at Study Centres

Tope Oyewole

May 21, 2026

Principal Nursing Officer, Mrs Foluke Oladoye, Principal Assistant Registrar Mr.Alhamdu B.G Usman,Centre Director Prof.Alero Akujobi and the Deputy Director Counsellor, Mrs Aka- Nwachukwu, picture taken after the Medical facilities inspection

The management of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has commenced the assessment of medical facilities across its study centres as part of efforts to strengthen emergency healthcare services for students nationwide under the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TSHIP).

The exercise, being carried out by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), is aimed at evaluating the availability and functionality of medical facilities and equipment at the centres following the recent launch of the NOUN Emergency Health Centres in Abuja.

Speaking during an inspection visit, the Principal Assistant Registrar, Mr. Alhamdu Bala Gimba Usman, said the exercise was designed to ensure that study centres are adequately equipped to handle medical emergencies, particularly during examination periods.

Gimba Usman, who visited the centre alongside the Centre Director, Prof. Alero Akujobi, noted that the initiative aligns with the university management’s commitment to students’ welfare and safety.

He explained that the exercise would also involve study centre counsellors to ensure proper coordination and effective implementation of the programme across the centres.

The development corroborates the position of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, during the launch of the NOUN Emergency Health Centre at the Model Study Centre, Dutse-Alhaji, Abuja, where he disclosed that the initiative had commenced in 39 study centres nationwide as the first phase of the programme.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the university plans to extend the facilities to all study centres before the end of the year in order to provide prompt medical attention and improve students’ wellbeing.

He stated that the centres would provide first aid and basic clinical services, especially during examinations and other academic activities, while critical cases would be referred to standard medical facilities for further treatment.

The management said the ongoing assessment exercise would help identify gaps in medical facilities and ensure the effective implementation of the TSHIP programme across NOUN study centres nationwide.