Governor Alex Otti has taken a decisive step toward expanding access to higher education by directing officials to begin the search for a temporary site for a study centre of the National Open University of Nigeria in Aba.
The directive was issued during a courtesy visit by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Uduma Uduma, at the governor’s country home in Nvosi.
According to a statement by NOUN’s spokesperson, Ambrose Gowong, the move followed the Vice-Chancellor’s request for clear policy direction on establishing a study centre in Aba, a proposal the governor promptly endorsed.
Otti instructed the state’s commissioner for tertiary education and the leadership of the Greater Aba Development Authority to immediately begin identifying a temporary location for the centre while plans for a permanent site are developed.
Describing Aba as a major commercial hub, the governor said the city deserves a functional NOUN study centre to serve its large population of aspiring learners, particularly those seeking flexible education options.
He noted that open and distance learning has significantly evolved, driven by digital tools such as Google Meet and Zoom, which have made knowledge more accessible beyond traditional classrooms.
“In view of the role NOUN is playing in advancing education, it is imperative that Aba has a study centre,” Otti stated, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to educational development.
The governor further assured the university of government support, highlighting ongoing efforts in the state to strengthen education through the recruitment, training, and retraining of teachers.
Beyond Aba, he also directed the commissioner for tertiary education to collaborate with the NOUN study centre in Umuahia to identify areas where the state government can support facility improvements.
The planned establishment of the study centre is expected to widen access to higher education in Abia State, especially for working-class individuals and those who may not fit into the conventional university system, reinforcing NOUN’s role as a key driver of flexible and inclusive learning in Nigeria.