The recent cancellation of the Law programme at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has left many final-year students grappling with despair and frustration. The abrupt termination has significant implications for students who had invested years of their lives, substantial financial resources, and personal sacrifices into their legal studies.

The Impact on Students

Ade Oludokun‘s journey to becoming a lawyer is marked by significant personal and financial struggles. After losing his job in 2017 and subsequently his business, Ade enrolled in NOUN to pursue his law degree, believing it would provide a path to a better future. Despite financial hardships, he invested over N2 million into his studies, only to face heartbreak when the university announced the cancellation of the LLB Law Programme. “I am in deep emotional pain,” Ade shared. “I invested so much, and now, just as I am nearing graduation, the programme has been terminated.”

Bertram faced life-threatening challenges during his studies, including a harrowing kidnapping in 2018. Despite enduring such traumatic experiences and disruptions, Bertram’s commitment to completing his studies was unwavering. The news of the programme’s cancellation added to his anguish. “We sought extensions and interventions from various authorities, but our appeals were disregarded. Now, we face the abrupt closure of our programme without any formal notification.”

Sadiku, who had invested in his education with support from his wife after losing his job, was nearing the end of his studies. He had completed his final project and had only six courses left. The sudden cancellation, he says, “is incredibly painful, especially knowing that the decision was made to pave the way for a new programme.”

Systemic Issues and Regulatory Challenges

The issues facing NOUN’s Law programme are rooted in systemic and regulatory challenges. Established in 2002, NOUN’s Law programme has struggled with accreditation and infrastructural issues, including lost academic records and system crashes. Despite efforts to address these challenges, students faced frequent setbacks, including retaking courses and navigating a complex accreditation landscape.

Prof. Sam Erugo (SAN) explains that the NOUN Law degree programme has long been viewed as conflicting with Nigerian regulations for legal training. Historically, graduates faced exclusion from the Nigerian Law School until a remedial year was introduced to level the playing field. This compromise was a partial solution, but it did not resolve the fundamental regulatory conflicts.

Legal Perspectives and Responses

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Isiaka Olagunju, argues that NOUN should have provided alternative options for students, especially those in their final year, such as affiliations with other universities to complete their degrees. He asserts, “The management of NOUN should be held accountable for the students’ predicament, having been aware that the part-time Law degree was not recognized.”

Prof. Sam Erugo adds that discussions about the cessation of the NOUN Law degree programme have been ongoing. He emphasizes the need for a structured approach to ensure that all legitimately enrolled students can complete their studies. “The cessation was not sudden; it was a result of long-standing discussions. Stakeholders should have ensured that steps were taken to allow affected students to graduate.”

Appeals and Next Steps

In response to the cancellation, students have formed the Concerned Law Students of the National Open University of Nigeria, advocating for intervention and reconsideration. They appeal to the government and NOUN management to grant an additional academic year or other solutions to allow students to complete their studies.

The students’ plight highlights broader issues within the Nigerian education system, including the need for clear regulations and support structures for distance learning programmes. As the situation unfolds, the focus will be on finding equitable solutions for those affected and addressing the systemic issues that led to the programme’s termination.