The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing open and distance learning (ODL) by integrating it more robustly into Nigeria’s national education policy. Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, made this known at the 3rd International Conference of the Open, Distance and eLearning Association of Nigeria (ODeLAN) held in Abuja on Thursday.
The three-day conference, themed “Adaptive Pedagogies for the Future of Education: Connecting Learners, Technologies, and Communities,” was jointly organised by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and ODeLAN.
Represented by Dr. Kareem Olawale, the Minister highlighted the pivotal role of ODL, particularly in providing access to quality education for learners in remote and underserved areas.
“Nigeria, like many countries, had to rethink traditional education models following the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the embrace of ODL,” Alausa said.
“This conference offers an opportunity to move beyond emergency remote teaching to establish sustainable, adaptive, and inclusive education systems.”
He commended ODeLAN for fostering innovation, research, and collaboration in the ODL sector, noting that their work is critical in driving Nigeria’s educational transformation.
In his remarks, President of ODeLAN, Prof. Francis Egbokhare, decried the discrimination faced by ODL students, particularly the denial of access to government subsidies and student loans.
“It is an injustice to deny these students support simply because they opted for ODL. Many professionals today benefit from training delivered via ODL platforms,” Egbokhare argued, urging authorities to address these inequities.
Also speaking, NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, underscored the social justice philosophy underpinning ODL.
He noted that while technology plays a crucial role, the core of ODL is rooted in egalitarianism and inclusivity.
“ODL should not be viewed merely as a source of internally generated revenue. It must retain its noble purpose of providing equitable education for all,” Peters stated.
He called on ODeLAN to establish a permanent secretariat, pledging NOUN’s support in providing office space for the body.
Delivering a keynote address, Prof. Peter Scott, President of the Commonwealth of Learning, emphasized the need for education systems to become more agile, learner-centred, and responsive in the face of global disruptions.
Scott introduced the AMP Actus initiative, also known as the “Cold Classroom Without Walls”—a low-cost, offline learning solution designed to deliver personalised education in areas with limited internet connectivity.
The initiative is currently being implemented in several Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Ghana.
Scott stressed that education must no longer be a one-size-fits-all model but instead be flexible, data-driven, and inclusive to prepare learners for an unpredictable future.
