水果派 Governing Council Chairman, Malam Isa Yuguda
It was all praises and encomiums聽and prayers聽as Professor Olufemi Ayinde Peters,聽the聽Vice-Chancellor,聽水果派 of Nigeria聽(NOUN), completes his聽5-year聽tenure聽on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
Ahead of the official hand-over ceremony to the incoming Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, the Governing Council of the university organised what turned out to be an聽emotion-filled send-off event聽which was聽held at the Conference Centre聽of聽the university on Tuesday,聽February聽3,聽2026.
Prof. Peters was described聽by all and sundry聽as a man who came, saw, and conquered聽in an event graced by the Nigeria鈥檚 Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Rauf, 聽who was represented by the State Minister of Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad.
In his welcome address,聽the Chairman,聽NOUN聽Governing Council, Mallam Isa Yuguda,聽said Prof. Peters has significantly contributed to technological and research advancements at NOUN.
According to him, Peters聽played a key role in modernising infrastructure and developing long-term facilities, where his efforts聽led to聽a numbers of milestones, invluding the commendable health insurance programme for NOUN students.
Peters, Yuguda added, has also聽introduced substantial research grants for academic empowerment, as his administration ensured 聽alignment with global standards, students welfare initiatives聽as well as聽pushed the boundaries of open and distant learning.
“Professor Peters positioned the institution as a leader in global education. And his legacy includes structures and future shaping,”聽he stated.
In his lecture, the guest speaker and former聽Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu,聽discussed on聽the importance of education and its role in society, while聽emphasising聽on educational achievements as a major priority for global unity.
Prof. Adamu, who extensively talked on what he termed as 鈥渢he university of tomorrow,鈥澛爏aid there is need for a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills,聽explaining聽that聽nowadays聽education is seen as a means to secure jobs, not just knowledge.
In his tribute Dr.聽Godwin Ettah,聽a聽member of聽the聽Governing Council,聽said聽Prof. Peters has聽鈥渆nsured excellence through a clear vision and disciplined purpose. He creates system that prevents聽mediocrity and promote integrity. His leadership fosters a university environment where excellence thrive.”
Ettah added that聽the 水果派聽of Nigeria聽will miss聽the outgoing Vice-Chancellor鈥檚聽contribution upon his exit.
Goodwill messages from the聽University Librarian, Dr. Angela Okpala, who spoke on behalf of the Principal Officers, Prof. Charity Okonkwo, Mr. John Ubaji, Prof. Sonnie Oniye and a host of others echoed similar encomiums, reminiscing the unique leadership style of the outgoing VC.
On his part, Prof. Peters expressed joy and sense of fulfillment, having seen off his 5-year period successfully and in good health.
He, however, attributed the success of his tenure to the wonderful working staff, who took time off to mention their names as heads of various faculties, departments, study centres, units as well as the principal offcers past and present.
Peters also thanked the NOUN Governing Council, the Ministry of Education. TETFund and the NUC, who all ensured the success of his administration.
The Vice-Chancellor-designate, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, in his address., also heaved praises to the outgoing VC, promising to take the university forward, building on where Prof. Peters stopped.
Prof. Uduma rallied all stakeholders of the university towards taking the univeirsity further by ensuring an improved student enrollment as well as research and infrastructural advancements.
He thanked the Governing Council for reposing their trust in him, assuring that NOUN will surely record notable successes in all ramifications during his time as the Vice-Chancellor.
Seven books were published and presented at the event聽in honour of 聽Prof. Peters by Prof. Joy Eyisi and a presentation of plaque to the incoming Vice Chancellor Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma.