The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, has described the university’s study centres as the cornerstone of its operations, stressing their critical role in connecting the institution with its learners.
Prof. Uduma stated this on Friday, September 25, 2026, while declaring open the continuation of the regional retreat for Study Centre Directors, Counsellors and Accountants across the university’s study centres.
The retreat, themed “Enhancing Learner Support Services for Efficient Study Centre Administration,” brought together key study centre personnel and senior university officials to strengthen administrative, financial, academic and digital operations and improve learner support services.
The physical exercise had already taken place at the South-south and South-east regions in August, with the imminent South-west retreat brought to an abrupt halt following the sudden demise of the University Bursar, Mal. Nasiru Marafa.
Consequently, participants from the four remaining regions: South-west, North-west, North-central and North-east received their training virtually on Friday, with the Vice-Chancellor, principal officers and the select directors convergigng in a single venue at the headquarters and made their respective presentations therefrom.
The curtain raiser presentation by the Vice-Chancellor, underpinned the critical roles of the study centres, who, according to him, occupy a pivotal position in the implementation of NOUN’s mandate because they provide the primary point of interaction between the university and its learners.
“Study centres are the exclusive venues where we interact with and meet students,” Prof. Uduma said, adding that “the absence of learners renders our purpose ineffective.”
He explained that just as a strong structure requires a solid foundation, the effective development of the university depends on the strength and efficiency of its study centres.
“This is the reason we strengthened the Directorate of Learner Support Services (DLSS) to facilitate the effective coordination of these centres,” he said.
Prof. Uduma urged participants to use the retreat to share experiences, identify challenges affecting their operations and develop practical solutions.
He also called on staff to uphold professionalism, accountability and efficient service delivery in their dealings with learners and other stakeholders.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed the need for staff to understand their responsibilities, operate within approved policies and procedures, maintain proper records and refer matters beyond their authority to the appropriate officers.
While welcoming participants, the Director of Learner Support Services, Prof. Tessy O. Angba, said the retreat was designed to strengthen staff capacity and improve service delivery across the university’s study centres.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Shehu Usman Adamu, in his presentation on the university’s administrative policy, emphasised the importance of understanding the limits of authority and adhering to established procedures and communication channels.
He highlighted the importance of proper documentation, confidentiality and professional conduct, urging staff to seek appropriate guidance and escalate issues they were not authorised to handle.
The Registrar, Mr. Oladipo Ajayi, while speaking on the dos and don’ts of administrative work, called for discipline, punctuality, effective communication and accurate record-keeping.
He cautioned staff against bypassing established procedures, relying on undocumented verbal instructions or making commitments on behalf of the university without proper authorisation.
On financial management, the Acting Bursar, Mrs. Ramatu Ibrahim, charged participants with ensuring that university funds, assets and financial records were properly managed and accounted for.
She highlighted budgeting, procurement procedures, imprest and advance management, reconciliation, asset control and financial reporting, stressing the importance of separation of duties to prevent a single officer from controlling all stages of a financial transaction.
The Director of ICT, Dr. Francis Osang, described ICT as a critical backbone of academic and administrative service delivery in an open and distance learning environment.
His presentation focused on the university’s digital platforms for learning, payments, examinations, results and transcripts.
He also emphasised the responsibility of study centre ICT personnel to keep digital facilities functional, support users and promptly report technical challenges.
Similarly, the Director of Examinations and Assessment, Prof. U.S.A. Osuji, urged staff to comply with approved examination procedures and safeguard the integrity of the university’s assessment processes.
The Director of Counselling and Career Development, Dr. Safinat Omuya, highlighted the importance of providing learners with appropriate counselling and career support as an integral part of effective learner support services.
The presentations underscored the strategic role of study centres beyond administrative and examination functions, positioning them as vital hubs for learner support, engagement and academic services.
The retreat concluded with a call on participants to translate the knowledge gained into their daily operations and contribute to an improved learner experience through professionalism, accountability, teamwork and responsive service delivery across NOUN study centres.
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