The race to succeed the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, has taken a dramatic turn following the omission of the name of a key aspirant, Mr. Godwin Akper, from the university’s congregation list.

The list, released on Monday as part of preparations to elect representatives who will participate in selecting the next vice-chancellor, did not include Mr. Akper, a former deputy vice-chancellor in charge of technology innovation and research.

Sources within the university hinted that the exclusion may be tied to Mr. Akper’s academic qualifications. While he holds a Diploma in Theology from the Reformed Theological College of Nigeria and a Master of Arts from Westminster Theological Seminary in California, he reportedly does not possess a first degree—a requirement for membership of the university’s congregation.

A member of the congregation, who preferred not to be named, suggested that the omission could significantly weaken Mr. Akper’s chances of emerging as the next vice-chancellor, with the election committee already shaping up for crucial deliberations.

Reacting to the development, Mr. Akper described the exclusion of his name as an “unexpected challenge” in his pursuit of the institution’s top seat, but did not disclose whether he would formally contest the decision.

Prof. Peters’ tenure is set to end on February 11, 2026, and the process to identify his successor has already begun, with heightened interest among stakeholders in NOUN and Nigeria’s higher education sector.