The ceremony, which was also attended by a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, was an opportunity to honour the former Nigerian President for his commitment and contribution to the promotion of education in Nigeria. 

 

The National Open University of Nigeria which started in the early 1980s was closed down a few years later, until 2001 when then President Obasanjo reopened the institution. It currently has over 300,000 active students across the country. 

 

President Mahama challenged the Centre to research into new and emerging developmental issues and how these can affect governance, democracy and the development of African countries. 

 

He also threw a challenge to Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt to become like Japan and China to propel African growth, noting that "Nigeria has a responsibility to be the driver of economic transformation in West Africa". 

 

Nigeria, he said, has nothing to fear from Ghana or Cote D'Ivoire in an integrated subregion.