The National Open University (NOUN) has scrapped its law programme, leaving over 1000 final-year students in limbo. The students, who are nearing completion of their projects, are at risk of not graduating despite spending millions to study law at the institution.
“We were not notified, we only saw a statement on social media suggesting that the law programme would be stopped after we spent how many years on it and no one has offered any form of apology or genuine concern,” a student lamented.
The students, under the aegis of “Concerned Law Students,” wrote to the House of Representatives seeking intervention. The House acknowledged their call for help and promised to convene a meeting between student representatives and the university management. However, despite several meetings, no meaningful development has been made.
The university’s decision to scrap the law programme has been met with controversy, with students accusing the institution of poor communication and a lack of concern for their academic wellbeing. The university has refused to comment on the development, with the Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Sheme, asking reporters to visit him at his office instead.
The students are calling for the university to reconsider its decision and allow them to graduate. “We have spent millions to study law at this institution, and it is unfair to deny us the opportunity to graduate,” a student said.
The development has also raised questions about the institution’s accreditation and management. NOUN has been at the center of controversies surrounding accreditation and management, with students accusing the university of poor communication and a lack of transparency.
The students are urging the university to take responsibility for their academic wellbeing and to find a solution to the crisis. “We are appealing to the university to please find a way to resolve this crisis and allow us to graduate,” a student said.