The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has begun work on an institutional policy framework for micro-credentials in partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL). This initiative aims to equip learners with emerging skills and improve graduate employability. A four-day workshop, which started on October 5, 2026, brings together NOUN management, academic and professional staff, the National Universities Commission (NUC), COL representatives, and other stakeholders. The workshop will provide the foundation for NOUN's institutional micro-credential system and the development of pilot courses.
The initiative is part of a wider Commonwealth project led by COL to help countries and institutions establish credible, flexible, and quality-assured approaches to micro-credential education. NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, described the initiative as a major step towards expanding flexible and technology-driven learning at the university. He emphasized that micro-credentials would enable NOUN to widen access to learning, respond quickly to emerging skills requirements, enhance employability, and promote lifelong education.
Representing COL, Professor Jane-Frances Agbu, Adviser, Higher Education, highlighted the importance of a well-articulated policy guideline for micro-credentials. She noted that the credibility of micro-credentials depends on quality, relevance, flexibility, scalability, recognition, and sustainability. Agbu also mentioned that the growing importance of micro-credentials is driven by rapid technological development, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and changing employment patterns.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has pledged its support for the initiative. Dr. Fumilayo Morebise, representing the NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, stated that the commission is collaborating with COL to advance Nigeria's micro-credential agenda. Morebise emphasized that the national framework and emerging guidelines will provide the basis for institutional implementation, with NOUN among the institutions selected to pilot the initiative.
The workshop is reviewing the outcome of an institutional readiness assessment conducted at NOUN, which identified areas requiring attention. These areas include policy and governance, quality assurance, staff capacity, digital credentialing, industry recognition, recognition of prior learning, credit transfer and stackability, assessment integrity, artificial intelligence, and technical infrastructure. The initiative aims to lay the groundwork for a sustainable micro-credential ecosystem at NOUN.
The partnership between NOUN and COL is expected to provide flexible learning opportunities for students and professionals while supporting employers and contributing to Nigeria's human-capital development. The initiative will also feed into COL's wider Commonwealth efforts to promote trusted, relevant, and quality-assured micro-credential programs. The development of micro-credentials is seen as critical in enabling individuals to continuously acquire new knowledge and skills in response to changing employment patterns.
The workshop, which ends on October 8, 2026, marks the first phase of COL's engagement with NOUN. A second phase will focus on developing micro-credential courses. The collaboration between NOUN, COL, and NUC is expected to strengthen the connection between policy and implementation, ultimately enhancing the employability of Nigerian graduates.
Key points
- NOUN partners with Commonwealth of Learning to develop micro-credential system
- Initiative aims to equip learners with emerging skills and improve graduate employability
- Partnership to provide flexible learning opportunities for students and professionals
