NOUN imposes strict convocation clearance rules on graduands

DDM News

The management of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has announced the commencement of the convocation clearance process for its graduating students.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that the clearance exercise is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, and will take place from Monday to Friday.

The designated time for the clearance process is between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. each day.

As part of the process, undergraduate and postgraduate graduands must make two mandatory payments before proceeding with document verification.

Graduating students are required to pay an alumni fee of ₦10,000 and a convocation fee of ₦30,000.

The university has issued a strict warning against making payments through cyber café operators or third-party agents.

Students are strongly advised to handle their payments personally to ensure the security and integrity of the transaction process.

All payments must be made through banks or banking applications to prevent complications and fraud.

NOUN has also declared that any payment made using USSD transactions will not be accepted under any circumstance.

To complete the clearance process, students must present several crucial documents at the clearance venue.

The required documents include the admission file issued at the point of entry and a corrected hard and soft copy of the bonded project.

Graduands must also provide their admission letter, O’ level and degree certificates for verification.

A valid means of identification, such as a school ID card, NIN, driver’s license, or international passport, must be presented.

Additionally, students must submit all payment receipts and e-wallet printouts as proof of payment.

The university has emphasized that clearance will only be conducted for students who have fulfilled all financial and documentary requirements.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in delays or disqualification from participating in the convocation ceremony.

The announcement was signed by Alex Ibezim, the Principal Assistant Registrar, on behalf of the Deputy Registrar.

NOUN is Nigeria’s largest open and distance learning institution, known for its flexible academic programs and nationwide study centers.

The university has produced thousands of graduates who have excelled in various professional fields across the country and beyond.

Despite its commitment to academic excellence, NOUN has often been criticized for its bureaucratic procedures and rigid administrative policies.

Many students have expressed concerns over the strict payment policies and the rejection of USSD transactions for clearance fees.

Some students argue that restricting payments to banking applications and bank branches creates unnecessary difficulties, especially for those in remote areas.

The management, however, insists that these measures are necessary to maintain transparency and prevent fraudulent transactions.

Graduating students have been urged to comply with the outlined procedures to avoid last-minute inconveniences.

Students are advised to check the university’s official website and notice boards for any updates regarding the clearance process.

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