The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Olufemi Peters, has said micro-credentialing is reshaping the landscape of education and professional development.
This is even as he called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to take the lead in developing clear definitions, standards, and goals for micro-credentialing in Nigeria.
The Vice-Chancellor stated this in Abuja on Tuesday while declaring open a regional consultative meeting for West Africa organised by the Regional Training and Research Institute for Open and Distance Learning (RETRIDOL), National Open University of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning.
The Guardian reports that the event, which has as its theme “Commonwealth Credit Transfer Framework: Micro-credentials in a Digital Age”, witnessed participants from Togo, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ghana.
The don stressed the need for nationally recognized guidelines to ensure the quality and relevance of micro-credentials, aligning with national education objectives and quality assurance measures.
He was upbeat that, with NUC’s leadership, micro-credentialing can unlock new opportunities for Nigerian learners, enhance skills recognition, and drive national development.
He warned that micro-credentialing may soon disrupt the traditional structure of knowledge acquisition and skill development, potentially impacting global certification processes.
His words: “The time has come for our institutions, our national regulatory agencies, and the industry to commence to take a deep look into how to agree to restructure our thematic path to degree certification. I dare not mention the other elephant disrupting our normalcy in the education sector: AI. Micro-credentialing is an innovative approach that is reshaping the landscape of education and professional development. They reflect a shift in how education is perceived and delivered, focusing on skills and competencies in a particular area of competence rather than in lengthy formal education. They are increasingly being seen as a viable alternative to traditional academic degree structures.
These courses are often developed in collaboration with industry experts, ensuring that the skills taught are relevant and in demand, which enhances employability.
They are gaining popularity as an alternative route to certification due to their flexibility, accessibility, and relevance to the evolving job market.
“I believe that by creating a structured framework, institutions can then effectively implement micro-credentialing programmes that will meet the needs of learners and employers while enhancing educational pathways and workforce readiness.
I call on our national regulatory bodies and especially the National Universities Commission to take the leadership role in formulating nationally clear definitions, standards, and goals, aligning with national education goals and quality assurance measures.
“I call on our national regulatory bodies and especially the National Universities Commission to take the leadership role in formulating nationally clear definitions, standards, and goals, aligning with national education goals and quality assurance measures, that would strengthen micro-credentialing in our country.”
Declaring the event open, Peters charged participants to seize the opportunity to engage in robust discussions, share innovative ideas, and shape the future of micro-credentialing in Commonwealth nations.
In his presentation, the President, Commonwealth of Learning, Prof. Peter Scott, highlighted the transformative potential of micro-credentialing in enhancing access to quality education, promoting lifelong learning, and fostering skills development, emphasizing its relevance in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape.
He expressed COL’s commitment to ensuring efficiency and quality of learning by using appropriate open, distance, and technology-based approaches.
Prof. Scott tasked participants to explore innovative approaches to micro-credentialing, share best practices, and develop strategies to harness its potential in addressing the complex educational challenges facing West Africa and the broader Commonwealth, ultimately enhancing the quality and relevance of education.
Similarly, the Higher Educational Adviser, Commonwealth of Learning, Prof. Jane Frances-Agbu, said the event was organized to engage with key national and institutional post-secondary education stakeholders at the regional level; share findings of in-depth reviews of micro-credentialing literature, tools, and practices throughout the Commonwealth; determine the national and regional needs in terms of credit transfer and micro-credentialing; and obtain inputs from the stakeholders to inform the draft Commonwealth Credit Transfer Framework for Micro-Credentials.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Director, RETRIDOL, Prof. Christine Ofulue, stressed that the meeting would also focus on drafting a Commonwealth credit transfer framework specifically designed for micro-credentials.
This framework, she elaborated, would be developed through an inclusive consultation process, ensuring that diverse viewpoints and expertise are integrated into the final document.
The framework, she noted, would facilitate the recognition and transfer of micro-credentials across institutions and borders within the Commonwealth, thereby enhancing mobility and opportunities for learners.
