Osinbajo and UNILAG Vice-Chancellor advocate for expanded distance learning to address university access gap
Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, have urged for the expansion of open and distance learning to meet Nigeria's increasing demand for university education. Speaking at the fifth colloquium of the Distance Learning Institute of the University of Lagos, Osinbajo stated that Nigeria cannot bridge its university access gap by relying solely on conventional campus-based education, especially with over 2.2 million Nigerians seeking admission annually while the system historically admits only about a quarter. He emphasized that open and distance learning is a national necessity, not a peripheral alternative, and highlighted how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence can provide mass access and personalized learning experiences. However, he cautioned against merely transferring conventional teaching methods to digital platforms, advocating for a fundamental rethinking of learning and assessment. Osinbajo also noted the need to address challenges such as unreliable electricity and expensive internet, stressing the importance of learning platforms that function effectively on mobile phones and offline. Similarly, Prof. Ogunsola pointed out that Nigeria's large youth population, with an average age of 19, necessitates a reevaluation of the traditional education model. She affirmed that accredited degrees from open and distance learning institutions hold the same value as those from conventional uni
