The out-going Director of University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre (UI DLC), Professor Bayo Okunade has explained that the advantages of Distance Learning in Nigeria’s University Education far outweigh the credit accorded to it.

Professor Okunade who gave this exposition in an exclusive interview on ‘Community Today’, a programme on CEOAfrica Platform noted that the Distance Learning programme is an ICT-based programme where students receive University education from the comfort of their homes or workplaces through the use of new  media technologies, which makes it different from full time and part time university programme.

Speaking on the topic “Impact of Distance Learning on University Education”, the out-going Director of UI DLC explained some of the merits of the Distance Learning mode.

According to the Professor, the Distance Learning programme has served as succour to candidates who have been unsuccessful in gaining admission into Universities through the conventional process of writing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), adding that the programme does not require admission seekers to write UTME.

He also stated that Distance Learning programme provides an opportunity for business people, artisans, and generally, people who want to work and study simultaneously, to receive university education and degrees. He stated that through Distance Learning, students can earn their degrees without their jobs, children, family or time serving as limitations.

The Professor further noted that Distance Learning has greatly impacted on Nigerian University education, stating the programme has improved the usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by Nigerian Universities, as distance learning encourages the use of internet-based teaching mechanisms.

He also noted the distance learning programme has encouraged more people to gain tertiary education, adding that the population of students on distance learning programme is considerably more than those on the regular programme which makes it a viable source of revenue for the institutions.

Speaking on the academic performance of distance learning students compared to regular students, the professor stated that both distance learning students and regular students have those who are brilliant and those who are not. However, he noted that he is proud of UI DLC students as they have been able to compete favourably with students from other schools and the UI DLC has recorded a considerable number of first class students.

Professor Okunade also explained that some challenges still facing the distance learning programme in Nigeria include the problem of acceptability and employability. The professor stated that most people still carry the misguided notion that degrees earned through distance learning programme are inferior to degrees earned through mainstream university programme.

He also noted that some people do not want to engage in the distance learning programme because the programme excludes them from participating in the one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) which their counterparts in the mainstream programme participate in.

The professor advised prospective distance learning students not to allow the erroneous idea that distance learning is inferior to fulltime studies rub them of a good opportunity to study to earn a university degree.