1 Development of Distance Learning: Perspectives from Nigeria Dr. Suleiman Ramon-Yusuf PhD. Head, Open & Distance Learning Division National Universities Commission Abuja Nigeria yahoo.com International Perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April, 2011.

Introduction…1 Map Of Nigeria. 2

Nigeria: Basic Facts Africa’s most populous nation, Over 150 Million people: [ 250 Ethnic groups; 500 Languages] Location: West Africa, between Latitude 4 o and 14 o N and Longitude 2 o and 15 o E Total Land Area= 923,768Km 2 (356,669 sq m). Federal Republic, 36 States + 1 Federal Capital Territory, 774 Local Government Areas International perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

NUMBER AND TYPES OF HE INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA HEIFederalStatePrivateTotal Univers- ities Poly/ Monotechs CoE Total International perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

5FederalStatePrivate Universities NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM STATISTICS

ODL IN NIGERIA Home study/ correspondence variety popular early to mid-20 th century. ODL Policy framework: Long standing recognition as means of enhancing access. NPE since 1977 ODL Policy goals:  Provide access to quality education and equity in educational opportunities for those who otherwise would have been denied. International Perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

ODL IN NIGERIA….2 ODL Policy goals:  Meet special needs of employers by mounting special certificate courses for their employees at their work place.  Encourage internationalization especially of tertiary education curricula.  Ameliorate the effect of internal and external brain drain in tertiary institutions by utilizing experts as teachers regardless of their locations or places of work. International perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

ODL IN NIGERIA…3 POLICY VS PRACTICE ? Policy stipulates ODL implementation at ALL levels of Education. Yawning Gap between Policy and practice…… In reality only at tertiary level: National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) University sub-sector International perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

IMPERATIVES FOR ODL IN NUS DD for HE far outstrips SS. In Nigeria, over a million candidates sit Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) annually, existing 117 universities can only absorb about 225,000 new entrants Need for Paradigm shift to enhance access International perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

ODL In the University system Yet to be fully exploited.. 1 Unimode University (NOUN) 6 Dual- mode institutions Enrolment: <50,000 in Dual mode DLCs + abt. 20,000 in NOUN. Many Universities expressing interest !! International perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

ENROLMENT IN ODL PROGRAMMES International perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

ENROLMEMT IN DL CENTRES S/NOUNIVERSITY DLCENROLMENT 1.Ibadan12, Lagos 10, Abuja 16, Maiduguri 3,624 5.FUT, Yola1,204 6.OAU Ile-Ife5,000 GRAND TOTAL49,750 International Perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

CHALLENGES OF ODL IN NUS Institutional capacity gaps :  Inadequate Course Wares  Weak Learner support system  Inappropriate delivery mechanisms  Regulatory capacity gaps Professional capacity gaps: Dearth of competent Practitioners [Teachers; Tutors; IA&G staff ] Paucity of QA personnel International perspectives on t he Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

TACKLING THE CHALLENGES.. NUC/BC/OUUK PROJECT:  Collaboration between NUC, British Council Nigeria & OUUK  Overarching objective: Bring the standard of ODL practice in Nigeria up to level of global best practice  ODL stakeholder roundtable in November, a forum for discussions on issues bordering on a suitable ODL Model for Nigeria International Perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning OUUK 20 April,

ODL PROJECT…2  Stakeholders’ workshop on March, 2009: out come :Development of Guidelines for ODL in the Nigerian university system [ Eligibility to offer DL; Delivery guidelines, programme accreditation instrument]  Train the Trainers Initiative : (Dec – March 2011)  E-teaching workshops: nominated group of DL teachers from 7 Nigerian universities. International perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

ODL PROJECT…3 TtT Initiative: A series of 5 workshops + Intervening conversations facilitated by OUUK staff: Prof. Swithenby et. al. Workshops focused on course module designs+ associated support General studies courses: –Use of English – CDL University of Ibadan –Philosophy and Logic – CDL, OAU Ile-Ife –Nigerian Peoples and Culture – CDL, University of Maiduguri –Science and Society – CDL Federal University of Technology, Yola –Entrepreneurship – DLI, University of Lagos and CDL, University of Abuja International perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

ODL PROJECT…4 Other aspects of TtT: Assessment [ incl. e-assessment] ICT for resource development and delivery; ICT for student support. Designation as National Trainers 40 graduates : certified NUC/BC/OUUK CASCADE International perspectives on t e Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

ODL PROJECT…5 Next steps: University level cascading Roll-out of Pilot Modules Development & Roll-out of other selected courses/ modules International perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

ODL PROJECT…6 Consortium formation (6 Universities)  Steering group: VCs – oversight; policy, finances  Coordinating group {Executive Group: Directors}  Agreement to collaborate in : Development and delivery of learning resources, courses/modules Study centre network Choice of VLE Long term Resource production mechanism International perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

REQUIRED….? Strengthen Collaboration among consortium members Strengthen partnership with OUUK Forge new partnerships…China, India, Uzbekistan ……? Build synergies International perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

Future Prospects…? Perennial problem of Inadequate access to HE must be ameliorated. ODL is the answer With greater stakeholder commitment & support + hard work+ collaboration, the Future of DL in Nigeria is bright. International perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April,

22 Thank you and God Bless International perspectives on the Development of Distance Learning. OUUK 20 April, 2011.