The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has suspended the activities of its Alumni Association (NOUNAA) and the October 10, 2026 election following petitions alleging certificate forgery, certificate racketeering, and other irregularities within the association. This decision was made during the university's 124th Regular Meeting, where the petitions were considered. The university's management has a responsibility to protect the institution's integrity and reputation.
The petitions contain allegations that involve the NOUNAA president and members of the executive committee. They also raise concerns about the participation of non-graduates in the association's affairs, including their eligibility to vote, contest elections, and occupy leadership positions. The university has directed the current NOUNAA executive committee to suspend its activities at the national, state, and other levels pending an investigation into the allegations.
The university's Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Oladipo Ajayi, signed a letter dated September 21, 2026, addressed to NOUNAA National President, Ifeanyi Obukwelu. The letter states that the allegations require proper and impartial investigation and determination, and that they should not be treated as established facts before the conclusion of the process. A committee will be constituted to investigate the allegations against the national president and members of the executive committee.
Despite the university's directive, Obukwelu has rejected the suspension of the association's activities and election, insisting that the October 10 poll will proceed in line with the association's constitution and timetable announced by its Electoral Committee. In an internal memo dated September 30, 2026, Obukwelu stated that the association had responded to the university through its solicitors, arguing that the affected officers should be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
Obukwelu's memo noted that the university itself described the issues raised in the petitions as allegations requiring proper and impartial investigation, rather than established facts. The NOUNAA president questioned the suspension of the association's activities and electoral process, arguing that fairness and due process should be prioritized. The association's solicitors maintained that NOUNAA was an independently incorporated body whose governance and elections were regulated by its constitution and applicable laws.
The solicitors requested that the petitions and accompanying materials be made available to the affected officers and that they be allowed to respond before any definitive action was taken. They also appealed to the university to resolve the matter amicably, fairly, and expeditiously. Obukwelu urged members not to allow the dispute or electoral ambitions to divide the association, saying disagreements should be addressed constitutionally and peacefully.
The investigation is expected to examine the claims of certificate forgery and racketeering, the eligibility and participation of alleged non-graduates in the association's affairs, as well as other matters raised against the executive committee. Obukwelu maintained that the association's unity and integrity should remain paramount despite the dispute, and called on members and delegates to remain calm and law-abiding.
Key points
- The National Open University of Nigeria has suspended its alumni association election and activities due to allegations of certificate forgery and irregularities.
- The university's decision was made during its 124th Regular Meeting, where the petitions were considered.
- The NOUNAA president has rejected the suspension, insisting that the October 10 poll will proceed in line with the association's constitution.
