The Director, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Special Study Centre for the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Garki, Abuja, Dr. Igwe Ukoha, has unveiled a series of administrative reforms aimed at improving student services, strengthening staff accountability and expanding the centre’s infrastructure to accommodate its growing student population.
Ukoha, who assumed office in August, said his administration was committed to building a more efficient, student-friendly and digitally responsive centre through improved service delivery, teamwork and stronger relations with NURTW officials.
Speaking in an interview with the NOUN News Correspondent in his office, the Director expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded since he assumed leadership, noting that staff cooperation had improved and the centre was becoming a more conducive environment for teaching, learning and administrative activities.
“Things are moving; things are going on fine. I’m enjoying the centre. The staff are enjoying the centre. The students are enjoying the centre too,” he said.
He disclosed that preparations for the forthcoming examinations had been concluded, with staff assigned specific responsibilities to ensure a smooth and successful exercise.
According to him, he had personally inspected the examination venue and confirmed that the facilities, security arrangements and sanitary conditions were satisfactory.
Another major feature of Ukoha's administration is the introduction of a digital platform designed to enable students to submit requests and communicate with the centre without necessarily visiting its offices.
He explained that the online form, which he developed to ease administrative pressure following the redeployment of some staff, allows students to submit information and requests directly to his system for prompt attention.
The initiative, he said, had proved particularly useful in ensuring that students could access support outside regular office hours, including at night and during weekends.
“It is just a form for them to capture whatever information they need; they’re required to submit. Just drop it there,” he explained.
Ukoha disclosed that plans were underway to develop a more comprehensive digital platform by 2027 to cover the various sections of the centre's operations.
Under the proposed system, students' requests would be automatically channelled to the relevant staff members through their computers or mobile phones, while the Director would be able to monitor progress and ascertain when issues had been resolved.
He expressed confidence that the proposed platform would reduce administrative delays, improve accountability and make services more accessible to students.
He explained that efforts were underway to improve the working environment by providing functional air conditioners, better tables, chairs, and other essential office furniture.
The Director also disclosed that he was working towards securing a larger facility to accommodate the centre's rapidly expanding student population, which he put at more than 3,000 and approaching 4,000.
He expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation among staff, noting that their shared commitment was making administrative tasks easier and more productive.
Ukoha said his ultimate goal was to transform the NURTW Special Study Centre into a model of effective administration, excellent student support and institutional growth.
“The final word is that this centre will stand out. This centre will fly. This centre will be heard of as a centre that is flourishing,” he declared.
He assured the university management, students and other stakeholders of his administration's commitment to delivering results beyond expectations, stressing that the centre's continued progress would depend on sustained teamwork, discipline, innovation and an unwavering focus on students' needs.
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