By EMMANUEL AFONNE

The Governing Council of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) says it will be fair and just to all the contestants jostling for the position of the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the institution.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tenure of the current VC, Prof. Olufemi Peters, will end on Feb. 11, 2026, and that a process has commenced to name his replacement.

NAN also reports that the names of some members and candidates jostling for the position were omitted from the list of congregation released by the institution on Monday but were later included, upon discovery.

The governing council, therefore, said on Thursday in a statement issued by Mr. Ibrahim Sheme, Director, Media and Publicity, NOUN, that the earlier omission would not have disqualified the individuals from the contest since the process was still ongoing.

“The said news item focused on a potential candidate for the post of VC whose name was listed in a congregation list, alleging that the said candidate could not be a candidate for the post.

“The University hereby categorically states that the names of members on the so-called congregation’s list are not final and in no way represent the list of members qualified to be Vice-Chancellor.

“Indeed, the name of the individual referenced in the report has been included in the congregation list.

“The deadline for applications for the post, as advertised in three national newspapers, has not yet elapsed. The search for the next VC is therefore not foreclosed until the advertised deadline is reached.

“The Council assures the University community that the selection process will be fair and just to all.

“The public is advised to ignore any report aimed at misinforming and stoking the embers of controversy on the selection process,” Sheme said. (NAN)