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

The university has also directed the suspension of the current NOUNAA executive committee at the national, state and other levels while the allegations are investigated.

The decision was communicated in a letter signed by NOUN Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Oladipo Ajayi, and addressed to NOUNAA National President, Ifeanyi Obukwelu. The matter was considered at the university management’s 124th Regular Meeting held on September 21, 2026.

According to the university, the petitions contained allegations concerning the possible forgery of certificates, certificate racketeering and other issues involving Obukwelu and members of the alumni executive.

The petitions also raised questions about the alleged participation of people who were not graduates of NOUN in the affairs of the alumni association. The concerns included whether such individuals were eligible to vote, contest elections or occupy leadership positions within the body.

NOUN, however, made it clear that the claims have not been established. The university said the allegations require an impartial investigation before any conclusions can be reached.

The institution said the suspension was intended to protect the integrity and reputation of both the university and its alumni association while allowing the issues raised in the petitions to be properly examined.

As part of the decision, NOUN ordered an immediate halt to all processes connected with the October 10 election. It also resolved to establish an investigation committee to examine the allegations against the alumni leadership, determine the eligibility of affected individuals and consider other matters raised in the petitions.

The university further directed Obukwelu to stop participating in Governing Council proceedings in his capacity as NOUNAA president pending the outcome of the investigation. Obukwelu occupies that position on the council by virtue of his leadership role in the alumni association.

The development has, however, produced a disagreement between the university and the alumni association over the fate of the scheduled election.

In a September 30 internal memorandum, Obukwelu said NOUNAA had responded to the university through its solicitors and was seeking fairness, due process and an opportunity for the affected officers to respond to the allegations.

The association's legal position, as presented by Obukwelu, is that NOUNAA is an incorporated trustee under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, as amended, and therefore has a distinct legal status. The association maintains that its internal governance and electoral process should be allowed to operate in accordance with its constitution and applicable law.

Obukwelu has consequently maintained that the October 10 election should proceed despite the university's suspension order. He also urged members to remain calm and cautioned against treating allegations as established guilt before an investigation is completed.

The university, meanwhile, has maintained that the suspension will remain in place while the allegations are examined. A NOUN official involved in the process said the institution's priority was to resolve the issues raised before allowing the election to proceed.

The dispute therefore leaves the status of the October 10 election uncertain. While NOUN has directed that the electoral process be suspended, NOUNAA's leadership continues to maintain that the association's constitutional process should go ahead.

The outcome will depend on the investigation and any further administrative or legal steps taken by the university and the alumni association.

For now, none of the certificate forgery or racketeering allegations should be treated as established facts. The university's investigation is expected to give the affected officers and petitioners an opportunity to present their respective positions before recommendations are made.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia