NOUN Halts October 10 Alumni Election Over Certificate Forgery Allegations

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has suspended activities of its Alumni Association, including the October 10, 2026 election, following petitions alleging certificate forgery, certificate racketeering and other irregularities.

The university also suspended the current Executive Committee of the NOUN Alumni Association (NOUNAA) at the national, state and other levels pending the outcome of an investigation into the allegations.

The decision was contained in a letter signed by the University Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Oladipo Ajayi, and addressed to the National President of NOUNAA, Ifeanyi Obukwelu.

The letter, dated September 2026, stated that the allegations were considered at the 124th Regular Meeting of the university management held on September 21.

According to the university, the petitions raised allegations of forgery of certificates, certificate racketeering and other serious concerns involving the national president and members of the executive committee.

The university also raised questions over the eligibility of some individuals allegedly not graduates of NOUN to vote, contest elections and hold leadership positions in the alumni association.

However, NOUN stressed that the allegations had not been established and would be subjected to an impartial investigation.

The university said the suspension was necessary to protect the integrity and reputation of the institution and its alumni association, as well as ensure due process in resolving the issues raised.

NOUN directed that all processes relating to the October 10 election be suspended immediately.

It also resolved to constitute a committee to investigate the allegations, determine the eligibility of affected persons and examine other issues arising from the petitions before making appropriate recommendations.

The university further directed Obukwelu, who sits on the Governing Council by virtue of his position as NOUNAA president, to cease participating in council activities in that capacity pending the determination of the matter.

However, Obukwelu has insisted that the election should proceed, maintaining that the association should be allowed to follow its constitutional electoral process.

In a September 30 internal memo, the alumni association responded through its solicitors, demanding fairness, due process and an opportunity for affected officers to respond to the allegations.

The lawyers argued that NOUNAA is an Incorporated Trustee under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, as amended, and therefore has a distinct legal status.

Obukwelu subsequently announced the programme of the Electoral Committee and urged members to remain calm, stressing that allegations should not be treated as established facts before the conclusion of an investigation.

The development has consequently put the planned October 10 election on hold pending the outcome of the university’s investigation.