Yabatech Rector Calls For Transformation In Open Distance & e-Learning

The Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, 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 held in the college for the leadership course on Open Distance and E-Learning for Technical and Vocational Education Training ( TVET) Institutions in Africa organized in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning which was hosted by the College. 

The Rector of Nigeria's premier tertiary institution 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 the country to be the goal of the workshop.

Open distance programmes according to him, 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.

“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,"he stated 

Also speaking, 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. 

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.

l-r Mrs Claverton M. Commonwealth of Learning Consultant, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Maiduguri, Mr. Ayo Aroge, Director, NBTE South West Zonal Office representing the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and Dr. Engr Ibraheem Abdul, Rector, Yaba College of Technology at the opening ceremony of the Wrap Up five Days Workshop on Open Distance and e- Learning on TVET in Africa in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning