Sixty-five inmates from correctional centres will graduate from the forthcoming convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), its Vice Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Peters, has disclosed.
He explained that the 65 inmates are among the 28,740 students that will graduate from the university.
Speaking at its 12th pre-convocation briefing in Abuja, Tuesday, he explained that of the 65 inmates, 58 are undergraduates and seven are postgraduates.
He further explained that they (inmates) are studying at no cost as the university offers them scholarships as part of its social responsibility, stressing that it provides them with the opportunity to make a living for themselves after serving their terms.
Professor Peters stated that six students would be awarded First Class; 2,306, Second Class Upper; 11,075, Second Class Lower and 5,558, Third Class.
He explained, “The convocation will take place simultaneously at the 114 study centres of the varsity across the country to get students and parents to participate from the centres close to them.”
He disclosed that NOUN was working on a new proposal for the National Youths Service Corps with the hope that it would be more receptive and bring in some of the students into NYSC.