LAGOS, Nigeria — The Pro-Chancellor of Miva Open University, Professor Akin Ogunbiyi, has declared that conventional universities alone cannot meet Nigeria’s growing demand for higher education, advocating for open and distance learning as a critical solution to expand access and bridge the nation’s skills gap.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum on higher education in Lagos on Sunday, Ogunbiyi argued that Nigeria’s population growth and the increasing demand for tertiary education far outstrip the capacity of traditional universities. With over 200 million people and a young population seeking educational opportunities, the country faces a significant challenge in providing access to quality higher education for all qualified candidates.
According to the Pro-Chancellor, conventional universities in Nigeria currently admit only a fraction of applicants each year, leaving millions of qualified students without access to tertiary education. He noted that this exclusion has far-reaching consequences for national development, as it limits the pool of skilled professionals available to drive economic growth and innovation.
Ogunbiyi emphasized that open and distance learning (ODL) offers a viable and scalable alternative to traditional university education. He noted that Miva Open University, which operates on an ODL model, provides flexible and affordable access to higher education for students who might otherwise be excluded due to geographical, financial, or other constraints.
The Pro-Chancellor highlighted the advantages of ODL, including the ability to reach students in remote areas, accommodate working professionals, and leverage technology to deliver high-quality educational content. He also noted that ODL institutions can scale more rapidly than conventional universities, enabling them to meet the growing demand for tertiary education.
Ogunbiyi called on the federal government and other stakeholders to invest more in ODL infrastructure and to create an enabling policy environment for the growth of open universities. He argued that Nigeria cannot achieve its development goals without dramatically expanding access to higher education.
The Pro-Chancellor also addressed concerns about the quality of ODL education, noting that Miva Open University maintains rigorous academic standards and uses technology to ensure that students receive a high-quality learning experience. He stressed that ODL is not a second-rate alternative but a legitimate and effective mode of education delivery.
Ogunbiyi’s remarks come amid ongoing debates about the future of higher education in Nigeria, with many stakeholders calling for reforms to expand access and improve quality. As the country’s population continues to grow, the need for innovative solutions to the education crisis has become increasingly urgent.
For now, the Pro-Chancellor’s advocacy for open and distance learning adds a powerful voice to the call for educational reform in Nigeria, emphasizing the potential of ODL to transform the country’s higher education landscape and contribute to its development aspirations.
