Jailed in final year, prison inmate earns 2nd Class Upper Degree, awards, N50,000 at NOUN

A prison inmate awaiting trial at the Enugu Prison, Theophilus Adeniyi, has graduated with a 2nd class (upper division) degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

The prisoner, also the pioneer student of NOUN at the Enugu Prison study centre, almost graduated with a First Class degree after earning an impressive Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.36.

His certificate was presented to him by the Controller-General of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Dr Peter Ekpendu, at the centre's first convocation.

Student Pulse gathered that Adeniyi was a final year political science student at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) when he was arrested for a crime he is now standing trial for.

Adeniyi said completing his university education despite his challenges made him happy and promised to "uphold the legacies of NOUN and also be a good ambassador."

“Just few months to my final degree examination in ESUT, I was set up and roped into the matter that I am currently facing trial for, but today I thank God I am a graduate,” he said said.

The graduate also got three awards and the sum of N50,000 from NOUN.

The Coordinator of the study centre, Prof. Ladan Babankodong, described Adeniyi as a shining example.