Council appoints NOUN VC as first Vice-President, names predecessor ambassador
The Executive Board of the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE) has appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Uduma Uduma, as 1st Vice-President.
The board also appointed the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, as Goodwill Ambassador of the council.
A statement signed on Thursday by Mr Ibrahim Sheme, Director, Media and Publicity, NOUN, stated that ACDE President, Prof. Solomon Shibairo, conveyed the decisions in separate letters dated Feb. 17, 2026, to Uduma and Peters.
Sheme quoted Shibairo as also congratulating Uduma on his recent appointment as NOUN Vice-Chancellor, noting that the institution holds the 1st Vice-President position on ACDE’s Executive Board.
“Uduma will assume the role during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of NOUN.
“The 1st Vice-President will support the President in executing the council’s strategic objectives and represent ACDE at delegated meetings and conferences.
“The role includes participating in board meetings, contributing to policy decisions and strengthening partnerships within the West African sub-region.
“The position also involves mobilising resources, engaging stakeholders and promoting knowledge-sharing and capacity-building among member institutions,” Sheme quoted Shibairo as saying.
Shibairo expressed optimism that Uduma’s leadership would advance ACDE’s strategic goals and strengthen open, distance and e-learning across Africa.
In another letter, Shibairo commended Peters for his contributions to NOUN and the Open and Distance Education community in Africa.
He said Peters’ leadership was marked by vision, innovation and commitment to inclusive, high-quality higher education.
Shibairo noted that Peters’ tenure as 1st Vice-President strengthened ACDE’s governance and continental presence.
He said the Goodwill Ambassador appointment recognised Peters’ legacy and continued support for the council.
According to him, Peters will promote ACDE’s image and engage governments, regional bodies and international organisations.
He added that Peters would support advocacy, advisory and representation activities in line with ACDE’s strategic objectives.
ACDE is a continental organisation of African universities committed to expanding access to quality education through Open and Distance Learning, including e-learning.
The council is registered in Kenya as an international non-profit organisation, with headquarters in Nairobi.
