The Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr Engr Ibraheem Abdul has called for transformation in open distance and e-learning in Nigeria.
He made the call during the opening ceremony of the 4-day wrap-up workshop for the leadership course on Open Distance and E-Learning for TVET Institutions in Africa held in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning which was hosted by the College.
Dr. Abdul noted the need for innovation in distance learning, suggesting the replacement of the nation’s academic program with a cocktail of short courses across all distance education institutions in Nigeria to be the goal of the workshop.
He stated that open distance programs are often designed to be more flexible in their delivery, compared to traditional teaching methods, adding that distant learning is no longer alien to the Nigerian educational system.
According to him, “we can say we already have an appreciable subscription to the notion of open distance learning in Nigeria, and it is important for the government and other stakeholders to key into this new teaching method as the open distance learning has come to stay in Nigeria”
In his address, the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education(NBTE) Prof. Idris Bugaje, underscored the importance of the workshop as the global space witnessing an unprecedented revolution in technological advancements and educational delivery following the watershed Covid-19 pandemic.
The Executive Secretary, who was represented by the Director, South West Zone of the Board, Mr Ayodele Aroge stated that the Board fostered a shift in the behavior of individuals within the institution and ultimately leading to a change in institutions culture.
Prof. Bugaje appreciated the hard work of participants, challenging them not to rest on their oars as the journey to institutionalize open, distance and flexible learning in TVET institutions and Nigeria requires all hands to be on deck.
