Prisoners in Nigeria can now get university education for free.

The National Open University has waived tuition fee for inmates of prisons in Nigeria.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu said the decision to waive the tuition fees for the prisoners is in line with the university’s quest to fulfil its corporate social responsibility.

He the desicion was also prompted by a shortage of sponsorship offers for inmates, Adamu said at a formal presentation of certificate to Mr Albert Emmanuel Ajogbor, a NOUN student at the Maximum Security Prison, Kirikiri, in Lagos, who earned a B.A. (Hons) in Christian Theology.

Adamu pointed out that the decision was in line with the university’s vision of providing highly accessible and enhanced education anchored by social justice, equity, equality and national cohesion through comprehensive reach that transcends all barriers.

NOUN had recently offered 100 percent full scholarship to all prisoners who are undertaking a degree programme in the university.

At the short ceremony held in Kirikiri Prison, the vice-chancellor, who was represented by the Director of NOUN’s Learner Support Services, Prof. Nebath Tanglang, expressed delight over Ajogbor’s feat despite the fact that he is incarcerated.

Also speaking, the Controller of Prisons, Lagos Command, Mr. Timothy Tinuonye, noted that NOUN’s initiative was a booster to the Nigeria Prison Authority’s task of reformation of the inmates. He disclosed that there are over 70 inmates studying for various NOUN programmes in the three prisons in the state but the number will rise because of the tuition-free policy.