ADDRESS OF THE HEAD NICC, WOSILATU AINODION AT THE INAUGURATION OF NICC BUILDING ON AUGUST 14,2025

Wosilatu Ainodion ( Head,NICC)

On behalf of the NICC team, It is with great joy and pride that we welcome you allto this historic occasion, the commissioning of the new building of the National Open University of Nigeria Information and Call Centre, taking place today, the14th of August, 2025, under the leadership of our esteemed Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Peters.”

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Vice-Chancellor for graciously gifting usthis beautiful new home. Though the journey was not without its wait, I believe you will agree that the edifice and its furnishings were meticulously and thoughtfully selected, making the wait truly worthwhile.

We are equally delighted to be sharing the building with the security unit, as thisoffers us the reassuring confidence that the CSO will be keeping us all safe.

The NOUN Information and Call centre (NICC) is the designated unit responsible forproviding relevant and accurate information about the institution to all who engage withNOUN. Within the NICC is a strategic student support hub, dedicated to respond to,and resolve students’ challenges & enquiries, concerning the University, that they may encounter throughout their studies.

At NICC, our vision is to provide exceptional, prompt, and satisfying servicedelivery for our learners and all stakeholders.

Our mission is to provide relevant information within set timelines, resolvecomplaints effectively, and address the root causes of learner dissatisfaction tofoster loyalty and support.

So at its inception, the Visitors Information and Call Centre (VICC), establishedunder the office of the Vice-Chancellor provided support services by addressing inquiries and challenges from current and prospective learners, the general publicand other stakeholders.

However, as the learner population at NOUN continued to grow, the need for anefficient, robust, and effective system to manage the daily surge of queries becameapparent. On October 26, 2022, the Visitors Information and Call Centre (VICC), was restructured and renamed the NOUN Information and Call Centre (NICC).

To manage the vast number of students enrolled in various programs, ProfessorOlufemi Peters adopted several technological solutions, including the e-ticketingsystem, to streamline administrative processes. The E-ticketing system provides astructured approach to managing interactions between students and the university,ensuring that inquiries are tracked, addressed, and resolved in a timely manner.

You will agree with me that The NOUN Information and Call Centre (NICC)has been a game-changer in transforming the university’s public image as NOUN is now seen as responsive, student-friendly, and digitally advanced.

This transformation is largely due to the ingenuity and vision of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Peters, whose administration championed the NICC and the e ticketing system as part of his commitment to a learner-centred approach.

Launched on June 7, 2022, the e-ticketing system provides a structured, data-drive method for handling student inquiries.

Supported by multiple channelsCall Centre, Emails, In person interaction,Online Platforms, and Easy Flyers, students receive help quickly, reducing frustration common in distance learning.

This initiative reflects Professor Peters’ strategic leadership in driving digital transformation within NOUN.

Today, we are greatly honoured to welcome a distinguished group of individualswho have joined us in celebration. They are part of NICC’s valued external support team, our esteemed escalation officers, who operate from their respective officesand all work diligently behind the scenes to ensure each ticket is addressed promptly and appropriately. We express our profound gratitude.

My deepest respect goes to all the Principal Officers present; your steadfastsupport has strengthened the NICC. I extend heartfelt appreciation to the University Librarian, who graciously provided us a home rent-free for several years, we remain profoundly grateful, Ma.

To the remarkable Director of the Counselling and Guidance Unit, our NICC boss,thank you, Ma, for your leadership and giving me the wings to soar.

To all the Directors, Deans, Heads of Departments, Centre Directors, stakeholders,and friends, I am profoundly thankful for your commitment to our “One NOUN,One Goal” vision and for working tirelessly towards seamless academic successfor our students.

I must honour my predecessors, who all began this journey, we remain deeply appreciative of your pioneering efforts.

Permit me now to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the brilliant Architect, Moyo, Mr. Kelvin and the entire NOUN team for delivering such a beautifully designed and furnished building. You truly understood and excelled at the assignment.

Team NICC! Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and the sacrifices you have made to bring us to where we are today. I am truly proud to lead such an exceptional team.

May I re-reiterate that The NICC Team is fully committed at ensuring that every student’s voice is heard, every complaint is addressed, and every learner feels truly supported.

I must acknowledge the Vice-Chancellor’s unwavering commitment to our success, especially in addressing student attrition. We pledge to continue carrying out our roles and responsibilities with diligence, remaining the stellar unit we are meant to be. We are deeply grateful to you, VC Sir, for taking time out of your busy schedule to commission our new building, the proud new home of the NICC.

May I now invite Team NICC and our esteemed escalation officers to join me, ladies and gentlemen, in giving a thunderous round of applause to our Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, for an incredible three years, of our pride, the e-ticketing system and other restructured support platforms, all dedicated to ensuring our students enjoy a successful educational experience at NOUN. And truly, the best is yet to come.