Soun of Ogbomosoland Unveils 13-Member Board to Deliver NOUN Study Centre, Boost Higher Education Access

In a major step toward expanding access to higher education in Oyo State, the Sòún of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, has inaugurated a 13-member governing board to spearhead the establishment of a National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Community Study Centre in Ogbomosoland.

The initiative, announced in a press statement issued by the palace, is part of the monarch’s broader vision to transform Ogbomosoland into a centre of excellence for higher education, digital innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable socio-economic development.

The proposed NOUN Community Study Centre is expected to provide flexible and affordable university education through Open and Distance Learning (ODL), making quality tertiary education more accessible to youths, working professionals and adult learners across Ogbomosoland and neighbouring communities.

According to the statement, the facility will feature smart classrooms, digital learning infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship hubs, research support services and community-based educational programmes designed to prepare learners for the demands of the modern economy.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Oba Olaoye described the project as a strategic investment in the future of Ogbomosoland rather than simply the construction of another educational institution.

He charged members of the newly constituted board to carry out their responsibilities with vision, professionalism and dedication, stressing that the study centre would create greater educational opportunities, strengthen workforce development, promote digital inclusion and contribute to Nigeria’s long-term national development.

The 13-member board comprises respected figures from academia, government, technology, finance, international development and community leadership. It has been tasked with engaging the National Open University of Nigeria, coordinating stakeholders, mobilising institutional and community support, ensuring regulatory compliance and overseeing the successful establishment and sustainable operation of the centre.

Chairing the board is Chief Barrister Olusegun Adekunle, former Chairman of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), while the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Dr Angela Ajala, will serve as Vice Chairman. Other members include senior professionals from Galaxy Backbone Limited, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership.

As part of the inauguration, members received the project’s Concept Note and Terms of Reference, detailing its governance framework, implementation roadmap and key deliverables.

The palace expressed confidence that the board’s expertise would ensure the successful delivery of the project, positioning Ogbomosoland as a leading destination for accessible university education, lifelong learning, digital innovation and knowledge-driven development in Nigeria.

Once completed, the NOUN Community Study Centre is expected to serve as a catalyst for educational advancement, entrepreneurship, digital empowerment and regional economic growth, further reinforcing the monarch’s commitment to inclusive education and community transformation.

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