The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, has identified low enrolment as the major challenge facing the institution’s Distance Learning Institute (DLI).
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Ogunsola, who disclosed this at the fourth international colloquium of the institute, said the centre currently has between 10,000 to 12,000 students, which is not encouraging, considering the country’s large population.
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“The real challenge is how we will get more people, because Nigeria is so large. So, in terms of numbers, we are not there yet, but we have greatly improved,” she said.
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Ogunsola added that the DLI, which was initially designed for adults above 30 years, is now open to younger people.

‎On complaints of poor internet access by students, the vice-chancellor noted that it was beyond the university’s control.
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Addressing concerns that DLI graduates are not well recognised in the labour market, Ogunsola explained that the institution maintains strict quality standards.
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“What we have tried to do is to continuously tighten the quality of the work here, so they have the same kind of screening. We are trying to make sure that there is a minimum standard, and we are improving on how they are being trained,” she said.
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Also speaking, the Director of DLI, Prof. Risikat Dauda, stressed the need for innovation, inclusion, and sustainability in Open, Flexible, and Distance Learning (OFDL).
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“Education must reach every Nigerian child, whether professional, rural resident, or marginalised voice, irrespective of socio-economic background, gender, ability, or distance,” she said.
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She warned that many Nigerian children are still out of school despite the country’s academic achievements.
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Highlighting the role of technology, she added: “Technology is not the future of education, it is the present. Across Nigeria, we see pockets of innovation that prove what is possible.”
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The Managing Director of Sahara Group, Dr Kola Adesina, called on the institution to showcase outstanding DLI graduates.
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According to him, there should be a deliberate plan by the university to look out for products of excellence and use them to showcase what is possible.

He also ‎stressed the importance of collaboration in knowledge exchange as a catalyst for growth and innovation.
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He noted that no institution or individual thrives in isolation, urging stakeholders across sectors to embrace partnerships that foster creativity, capacity building and sustainable development.