The recent ban on staff and students’ unionism by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has sparked off debates at the various study centres of the university. At its 14th matriculation, the reasons for the ban were revealed. AUGUSTINE PAUL-AGBO reports

“The formation of students and staff unions and associations are not permitted in NOUN. This is due to the diverge nature of our students and staff in terms of age, class, status, professional callings as well as belonging to many existing unions and associations.” This was the hard core message by the vice-chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Prof Vincent Tenebe, to staff and students at the 14th matriculation of the school.

He went further to emphatically declare that NOUN is the only open university operating in the whole of West African sub-region with a population of over 400, 000 students and 67 study centres across the country.

Apparently, the erudite university don was unwilling to be dragged into what his colleagues in conventional higher institutions have to grapple with often in the course of running their campuses.

The chilling message indeed was a hard pill to swallow for the young students that find the open learning institution an opportunity to have a feel of the much celebrated campus life.

Contrary to the proliferation of students and staff in conventional universities where the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Non-academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), state chapters of students association and local government and villages of students associations are part of university education, NOUN is an open university where mature Nigerians who are engaged in daily jobs are admitted to learn and may not have time for associations.

While the announcement raised a debate on the rights of students and their lecturers to partake in lawful associations, many have questioned the wisdom in the ban. “Does this ban not translate to infringement in the rights of staff and students,” a student who spoke to LEADERSHIP Sunday queried.

“The university is 100 percent owned by the federal government of Nigeria; in fact it is an agency of the Federal Ministry of Education. There must be rights and privileges,” some argued.

Rising to its defence, the university announced that the strata of students is so diverse in nature, “Some are directors from federal and state ministries, there are state and federal law makers, there are top business moguls, there are as well the generic students, prison inmates, Navy, Army, and Air Force personnel. All these institutions and establishments have centres created for their studies.”

Another reason adduced for the restriction is for speedy growth; more so, the Act which established the university prohibits any form of union either among staff or students.

This has made the institution to be unaffected by strikes such as the last ASUU strike which lasted for eight months that crippled academic activities in most public owned universities.

“NOUN students have always and will continue to be immune to any form of strike,” reiterated NOUN boss.

But the agitators for unionism also argued that the numerous groupings and interests on campus can be seen as pressure groups to press home demands and endorse agitations that could both attract gains directly to the students or staff of the institution in spite of the fact that such interest groups sometimes bring disrepute, deaths and crisis that may lead to the closure of the institutions.

Tenebe while welcoming the new entrants into the university told them, “While welcoming you to the university that democratises, demystifies and liberalises education, it is pertinent to inform you that there are rules and regulations that govern the smooth studying in NOUN. Such rules and regulations are some of the reasons for today’s event. Your signing of the matriculation oath further confirms that you agree and promise to abide by the laws of the university.”

The National Open University of Nigeria offers admission into a wide range of students from all walks of life just like other established open universities like the one in the United Kingdom.

For most of the courses, there is flexibility in entry requirements and the ability to study at an appropriate level such as the West African Examination Council and other National Diplomas to qualify for a direct entry admission. This fundamental open admissions policy makes undergraduate study accessible to all.

While most of those studying in NOUN are mature students, the university has been seen as an opportunity for the increasingly proportion of undergraduates aged between 17 and 25 years because of the reduction in financial support which is unlike those attending conventional universities. This is beside the use of technologies such as YouTube that appeal to this demographic group.

Sensing the influx of new and young students into the programmes of the university, it has necessitated the warning to the entire university community to operate within the provision of the Act establishing the institution.

As the debate over unionism continues, NOUN says it is still making efforts to ensure that the concern of its students are addressed especially its graduates who are below age 30, the maximum age limit approved for participation in the National Youth Service Corps and Law graduates who proceed to the Nigerian Law School.

In spite of this, efforts by the authority are yet to materialise. The statement from the university’s online student portal indicated that, “The university has reached advance stage in resolving the matter including the situation of the NYSC being adequately tackled.”

The university said it has given scholarships to some Nigerian Nollywood stars to study in the institution including Ini Edo and Desmond Elliot. While Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha, Francis Duru, Doris Simeon and Sani Danja were announced as ambassadors for the institution.