The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has suspended the activities of its Alumni Association and halted the association’s October 10, 2026 election following petitions alleging certificate forgery, certificate racketeering and questions over the eligibility of some persons participating in the association’s affairs.
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The university also suspended the activities of the current Executive Committee of the National Open University of Nigeria Alumni Association (NOUNAA) at the national, state and other levels pending the outcome of an investigation into the allegations.
The decisions were 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.
According to the university, the petitions were considered at the 124th Regular Meeting of NOUN Management held on September 21, 2026.
NOUN said the complaints contained allegations concerning “the alleged forgery of certificates, certificate racketeering and other matters of serious concern” involving the NOUNAA national president and members of the Executive Committee.
The petitions also raised questions about whether persons who were allegedly not graduates of the university had been allowed to participate in the affairs of the alumni body, including voting, contesting elections and occupying leadership positions.
The university, however, made it clear that the allegations had not been established and would require an impartial investigation before any conclusions could be reached.
It explained that the suspension of the alumni leadership and its activities was intended to protect the integrity and reputation of both the university and the association while allowing the allegations to be examined through due process.
Consequently, all processes connected with the NOUNAA election scheduled for October 10 were ordered suspended.
The university also resolved to constitute an investigative committee to examine the allegations of certificate forgery and racketeering, determine the eligibility of persons participating in the association and consider other complaints raised against members of the Executive Committee.
The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the university management for further consideration.
NOUN further directed Obukwelu to stop participating in proceedings of the university’s Governing Council in his capacity as NOUNAA National President pending the determination of the issues raised in the petitions.
The directive has, however, triggered a disagreement between the university authorities and the leadership of the alumni association, with Obukwelu maintaining that the October 10 election should proceed.
In an internal memorandum dated September 30, Obukwelu informed members that the association had responded to the university through its solicitors and was demanding fairness, due process and an opportunity for the affected officers to answer the allegations levelled against them.
According to him, NOUNAA’s lawyers also argued that the association is registered as an Incorporated Trustee under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, as amended, and consequently possesses a legal identity distinct from the university.
Relying on that position, Obukwelu maintained that the electoral process should continue in accordance with the association’s constitution and the programme already announced by its Electoral Committee.
He urged members of the alumni body to remain calm and insisted that allegations should not be treated as proof of guilt before the completion of an investigation.
The competing positions have now placed the October 10 election in uncertainty.
While NOUN’s suspension directive remains in force, the alumni leadership is challenging the decision through its lawyers and maintains that the association’s separate legal status entitles it to continue with its internal electoral process.
At the centre of the dispute are therefore two related questions: the substance of the allegations of certificate forgery, certificate racketeering and membership irregularities, and the extent of the university’s authority over the affairs and election of an alumni association registered as an Incorporated Trustee.
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