In line with the joint memorandum signed by the University of London (UoL) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to collaborate on capacity building for Open and Distance Learning for the Nigerian University System (NUS) since 2017, a two-day workshop was held between 9th and 10th of March, 2026, at the Senate House, University of London, with the theme: “Embracing Change: Strategic Development of High-Quality ODL”.
The workshop was aimed at supporting participants to develop contextualised strategies for enhancing student success in online and distance education, and recognising the complexities and volatility of higher education, the workshop also focused on strategic, operational and pedagogical development and innovation to support improved student outcomes.
At the end, the workshop was expected to:
- Expose participants on how to plan a contextualised approach to managing rapid change, developing, and reviewing their ODL strategy and quality assurance frameworks; and
- Identify actions for enhancement in the operation of Open Distance and e-Learning mode of delivery higher education in Nigeria.
It was attended by 40 persons representing 20 Nigerian Universities and the National Universities Commission which included Vice-Chancellors, Directors of Distance Learning Centres and other senior officers from the Nigerian Universities System (NUS).
The National Universities Commission was represented by the Director, Open Distance and e-Learning (DODel), Dr. Funmilayo Morebise, and a Deputy Director, in Directorate of Open Distance and e-Learning, Dr. Hadu Gabriel Ligari.
In a welcome remark by the Host University, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of London, Professor David Latchman reiterated that the workshop was focused on supporting participants to develop contextualised strategies for enhancing student success in online and distance education.
In his address, the Executive Secretary, NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu FCVSN, represented by the Director, Open and Distance Learning, Dr. Funmilayo Morebise, went down the memory lane to reflect on the milestones attained since March, 2018 when the MoU was signed between the parties that included the successful execution of a series of high-level symposia and workshops.
He noted that core objectives of the partnership had remained steadfast, leading to some key achievements such as: Inculcating global best practices in the delivery of university education; Bridging the gap between theoretical ODL policy and practical, scalable implementation; and Promoting exposure for Nigeria’s academic and administrative staff to international pedagogical innovations.
Professor Ribadu reminded the participants that these activities were not just checkboxes, but, deliberate steps to ensure that when mention is made about Open and Distance Learning in Nigeria, it will be one education delivery that is fit for purpose, scalable, and internationally competitive.
He urged them to ensure that Nigeria’s ODL institutions do not merely serve as digital repositories of lecture notes, but vibrant ecosystems of learning that provide the same, if not better, engagement than traditional classrooms.
He highlighted that the intention of the exposure is to understand how Nigeria could move beyond traditional brick-and-mortar constraints to meet the surging demand for university education without compromising on academic quality.
The Executive Secretary stressed that the goal of the current training include to: Assess the Impact by evaluating how the training received from UoL has been domesticated within the respective institutions; Bridge the Gaps by identifying remaining challenges in the planning, development, and delivery of ODL programmes as well as Strengthen Quality Assurance by ensuring that as the nation expand ODL capacity, the institutions never compromise on the academic quality that defines the NUS.
He also reiterated that Open and Distance Learning is no longer an “alternative” mode of education, but a central pillar of Nigeria’s national strategy to access to university education, noting that through this strategic partnership with UoL NUC was providing the participants with the tools to build a system that is resilient, inclusive, and world-class.
Similarly, in her capacity as NUC Director, Open Distance and e-Learning. Funmilayo Morebise, made a presentation on the topic: National Universities Commission Context for Open Distance and e-Learning.
Participants took an active role in exploring the opportunities and challenges for ensuring student success in online and distance education.
Participants were also encouraged to share current examples from their own institutions, as well as worked with colleagues from other institutions to confront challenges, develop solutions and to reflect on the workshop learning activities.
There were also presentations that stimulated discussion and provided examples of approaches, including the opportunities presented by new and relevant technologies.
The workshop also featured reflection, development and sharing by participants in work groups. Extensive opportunities also guided small group work with Centre for Online and Distance Education, UoL Fellows, which ensured that a variety of perspectives were brought to the table to support each institution to develop and review its own contextualisation and planning. Each of the sections had a combination of presentations, discussions and activity-based sessions under it.