The Director, Wuse 2 Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Ebele Angela Udeoji, has introduced a cashless payment policy and unveiled plans to improve student welfare, strengthen staff accountability, and enhance service delivery at the centre.
Udeoji, who assumed office in August, said her administration was committed to creating a more student-friendly environment, improving administrative efficiency and ensuring that staff remained dedicated to their responsibilities.
Speaking in an interview in her office, the Director identified inadequate space as one of the centre’s major challenges, noting that its growing student population required improved facilities to support learning and administrative activities.
She disclosed that she had approached the Directorate of Works to explore converting an underutilised space at the rear of the centre into a relaxation area where students could interact and rest between examinations or while waiting to complete administrative processes.
According to her, the proposed facility would be covered and furnished with chairs and tables to provide students with a more comfortable environment during their visits.
“We are waiting for them now to come and cover it up for us, just put on a roof. Then from our internally generated revenue, we can furnish it, put chairs and tables, and then maybe set up a real talk shop, a student talk shop,” she said.
Udeoji expressed optimism that the facility would be ready either this semester or next, subject to the necessary approvals and implementation.
As part of efforts to make the centre more accommodating, Udeoji said her administration was also considering providing a designated space for nursing mothers who bring their children to the centre during examinations.
She explained that some students face difficulties making suitable childcare arrangements, particularly when their children are still breastfeeding, while examination regulations prohibit children from entering examination halls.
The proposed arrangement, she said, would provide a designated area where children could remain under appropriate supervision while their mothers sit for examinations.
One of the major reforms introduced by the Director is the transition to a fully cashless payment system at the centre.
Udeoji recalled that before her assumption of office, staff routinely handled substantial amounts of physical cash, which required additional effort to collect, transport, and reconcile payments.
She said she engaged MoneyPoint to provide point-of-sale (POS) terminals, enabling students to make payments through electronic transfers or ATM cards.
“We have gone totally cashless now. There’s no more cash,” she stated.
According to her, the policy would strengthen financial control and accountability while reducing the risks associated with handling physical cash.
She added that electronic transactions had made it easier to monitor payments and manage the centre's financial activities.
The Director also disclosed that she had registered a business entity for the benefit of the centre, expressing optimism that prudent financial management and savings would support staff welfare and other institutional needs.
Student welfare, service delivery remain priorities
Udeoji emphasised that effective student support remained central to the university's open and distance learning mandate.
The Director warned staff against practices that could undermine the university's reputation, including neglecting official duties to conduct personal business, overcharging students, and demanding unauthorised payments.
She said she had cautioned personnel against exploiting students who might be unfamiliar with the university's procedures and approved charges.
Udeoji maintained that any staff member found engaging in such practices would be referred to the university management for appropriate disciplinary action.
“If you are caught, I would just simply hand you over to management,” she said, stressing that her administration would not condone misconduct.
Despite space constraints and the pressure associated with serving a large student population, Udeoji commended the centre's staff for their commitment and dedication to duty.
She said personnel routinely attended to students from early morning and worked diligently to ensure that requests were handled promptly.
To sustain productivity, she encouraged staff to utilise their leave before the examination period, where possible, to enable them to rest and return refreshed for the demands of the exercise.
The Director also confirmed that security arrangements had been strengthened, with police personnel assisting in crowd control during examinations.
She explained that designated male and female checkers would screen students and verify their clearance documents before allowing them into the examination halls.
Udeoji expressed confidence in the centre's preparedness for the examinations, noting that staff members had been assigned specific responsibilities and were familiar with the procedures required for a smooth exercise.
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