By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) have begun discussions on a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening fiscal governance, research, capacity building, and evidence-based policy development in Nigeria.
The Chairman of RMAFC, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, made this known on Wednesday while receiving the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Oduma Orji Oduma, and members of the university’s management team during a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Dr. Shehu described the visit as timely, stressing that collaboration between government institutions and academia is essential to addressing Nigeria’s fiscal and economic challenges. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to promoting evidence-based fiscal reforms, innovative governance, and sustainable national development.
He commended NOUN for its pioneering role in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and its contribution to expanding access to quality higher education across the country.
The RMAFC chairman also assured the university that the Commission would objectively assess its requests, particularly those relating to remuneration for ODL personnel. According to him, the Commission will undertake a comprehensive job evaluation, labour market benchmarking, and fiscal impact analysis to determine the feasibility of introducing a specialised salary structure or differentiated allowances.
He added that any recommendation would be guided by empirical evidence, fairness, equity, fiscal sustainability, and the Commission’s constitutional mandate.
Earlier, the NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oduma, said the university was seeking a long-term partnership with RMAFC to advance fiscal research and policy development.
He proposed the establishment of a Centre for Fiscal Studies and Policy for Revenue Studies to serve as a national hub for revenue forecasting, fiscal impact assessment, policy research, and evidence-based recommendations to support government reforms.
Professor Oduma also offered the university’s expertise in developing digital learning platforms and capacity-building programmes for fiscal officers, revenue administrators, and other public servants nationwide.
Highlighting the university’s strengths, he noted that NOUN’s network of more than 128 study centres, digital libraries, ICT infrastructure, satellite connectivity, and online examination platforms positioned it to deliver professional training efficiently across the country.
The Vice-Chancellor further appealed for a specialised remuneration framework, arguing that the university’s Open and Distance Learning model requires significant recurring investments in ICT infrastructure, learning management systems, digital libraries, online assessment platforms, and round-the-clock service delivery.
He also assured the Commission of the quality of NOUN graduates, noting that many are gainfully employed while the institution continues to strengthen quality assurance and graduate employability.
Speaking during the meeting, the Federal Commissioner representing Gombe State, Hon. Muhammed Kabeer Usman, described the proposed collaboration as a mutually beneficial initiative that would enhance institutional capacity and improve public sector efficiency.
Similarly, the Federal Commissioner representing Ogun State, Hon. Akeem Amosun, emphasised the importance of research-driven policymaking and urged both institutions to translate their discussions into practical programmes that would benefit the nation. He stressed that any remuneration review should be based on objective data, fiscal sustainability, and equity within the public service.
Also speaking, the Director of Allocation and Fiscal Efficiency at RMAFC, Dr. Umar Usman Kukankada, said the Commission would require detailed operational information from NOUN, including data on ICT and ODL expenditures, staffing structure, adjunct faculty arrangements, operational allowances, study centres, and graduate employability to facilitate a comprehensive assessment.
He disclosed that the Commission would also develop and evaluate a detailed proposal for the establishment of the Centre for Fiscal Studies and the digital training platform, outlining governance arrangements, implementation timelines, expected deliverables, and financial implications.
The meeting ended with both organizations expressing commitment to strengthening collaboration in research, policy development, digital learning, capacity building, and fiscal governance, while agreeing to continue technical engagements to develop actionable programmes that would support Nigeria’s fiscal and socio-economic development.
