The University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), now renamed Yakubu Gowon University, has set a target of enrolling at least 10,000 students in its Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes in the short term, as part of efforts to expand access to higher education through technology.

The Director, Centre for Distance Learning and Continuing Education, Prof. Uche Anaduaka, who disclosed this to reporters in Lagos, at the signing of a partnership agreement between the university and a technology firm, Edutech Global, said the partnership would provide the institution with a comprehensive learning management system, an online examination platform, remote proctoring technology and virtual classroom infrastructure.

According to her, the new systems will enable students to study and take examinations from any location without the need to come to campus.

The director disclosed that the university currently runs five ODL-accredited undergraduate programmes and six weekend part-time programmes.

Under the partnership, she said the institution plans to introduce about 10 postgraduate programmes and gradually expand its undergraduate offerings as more programmes obtain accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Anaduaka said the university currently has about 4,000 students enrolled in its distance learning programmes, attributing it to the previous model, which still required learners to come to campus for lectures and examinations.

According to her, the transition to a fully digital platform will significantly increase enrolment.

“Our target is to grow gradually to 10,000 students, then 20,000 and even 30,000 as we continue to expand and attract learners from Nigeria and other parts of the world,” she added.

Anaduaka noted that the model would particularly benefit working professionals who are unable to participate in conventional classroom learning because of their work schedules.

She said: “We are convinced that we will get the best services. We are happy with what we have seen. We want our ODL centres to attract students from Nigeria and around the world, and Edutech is offering to bring education to people’s doorsteps.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Venture Garden Group, the parent company of Edutech Global, Bunmi Akinyemiju, said the firm would provide the technology backbone required to enable the university to scale up its distance learning operations.

He explained that the partnership covers digital infrastructure, content digitisation, virtual learning platforms, student support services, marketing and learner recruitment.

“What Edutech provides is, first, the technology and software. Second, the infrastructure to convert learning content and support connectivity. We also provide virtual classroom technology, student acquisition services and 24-hour support for learners,” he said.

According to Akinyemiju, while the university retains ownership of its curriculum, lecturers, academic programmes, and certificates, Edutech will provide the digital systems required to improve the delivery of learning.

He said: “The university has the brand, the institution, curriculum, certificates and lecturers. What Edutech has come to do is to amplify the impact of the professors. A professor who may ordinarily teach about 500 students in a year can, through technology, impact as many as 5,000 students yearly.”

He also disclosed that discussions are ongoing with financial institutions regarding possible student loan arrangements to make distance learning more affordable.

On his part, the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Edutech Global, Olufemi Sonubi, said technology remains the most practical solution to Nigeria’s growing demand for university education.

Sonubi noted that the country’s physical university infrastructure can no longer accommodate the increasing number of qualified candidates seeking admission yearly.

“To teach and learn at scale, technology has to be the enabler. The physical infrastructure we have today is not enough to meet the growing demand, and that is the solution technology provides,” he said.

Shonubi said Edutech has successfully implemented similar projects in several higher institutions across the country, including Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; Babcock University, Ilishan; Hillside University of Science and Technology and Corona College of Education, Lagos.

He said the company’s experience with Ahmadu Bello University demonstrates the enormous potential of digital learning.

“Today, Ahmadu Bello University Distance Learning Centre has over 50,000 active learners online. No physical university infrastructure would have accommodated that number within such a short period.

Technology has validated itself as the solution,” Sonubi added.

He noted that the partnership with the University of Abuja will further expand access to quality higher education for thousands of Nigerians unable to secure admission through the conventional system.

He also addressed concerns over internet connectivity and electricity, saying the company has adopted an offline-first learning model to reduce students’ dependence on continuous internet access.

The Edutech boss clarified that the firm will operate strictly as the technology partner, while the university remains fully responsible for admissions, curriculum delivery, examinations and certification. “

“We power the infrastructure, the operations and the processes. Students are interacting with the University of Abuja, not with Edutech. Everything they see is the university; we provide the engine running behind the scenes,” he added.