The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, has called for the establishment of a National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Study Centre in Ogbomoso as part of efforts to expand access to tertiary education in the ancient town.
The monarch made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of NOUN in Abuja, where he led a delegation of notable Ogbomoso indigenes and development partners.
The visit was facilitated by Dr. Niran Oyekale, an indigene of Ogbomoso, and featured the Asiwaju of Ogbomosoland, Prof. Adeshola Adepoju, as well as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede.
Oba Olaoye and members of his delegation were received by the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi A. Peters, alongside the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Christine Ofulue, and other members of the university’s management team.
During the engagement, the Soun passionately advocated for Ogbomoso to be considered for a NOUN Study Centre, describing the initiative as a critical pathway to opportunity, inclusiveness and educational empowerment.
According to the monarch, the proposed study centre would offer flexible and quality tertiary education to the sons and daughters of Ogbomosoland, irrespective of age or life circumstances, while also boosting human capital development and socio-economic growth in the area.
He expressed optimism at the outcome of the visit, noting that the management of NOUN had given a positive response and committed to dispatching a delegation to Ogbomoso for an on-the-spot assessment.
The Soun said he was confident that once the required conditions are met, the long-cherished aspiration of hosting a NOUN Study Centre in Ogbomoso would soon become a reality.
He described the initiative as part of a broader vision to lay sustainable foundations for learning, empowerment and a brighter future for the people of Ogbomosoland.
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