One of the major snags that put prospective admission seekers off obtaining a University degree through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) platform is the exemption from participating in the one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) which is compulsory for graduates who go through conventional University and Polytechnic programmes.

The Director of Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan, Professor Oyesoji Amos Aremu who made this known in an exclusive interview with CEOAfrica on its online television programme Community Today, observed that many young prospective students seeking admission into the university are discouraged from applying through ODL mode as it does not qualify them to participate in NYSC.

According to the Professor of Counselling and Criminal Studies at the University of Ibadan, “the Distance Learning programmes in Nigeria are essentially for the working class people and adults. But because of admission challenges and limited access into tertiary institutions, we now find young people applying for ODL programmes. Now, the first question these young people ask is that ‘Would I be able to go for NYSC when I conclude this programme?’ This is one of the reasons why many people don’t apply for ODL.”

Director of Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan, Prof Oyesoji Aremu (L) with Mr Cletus Ilobanafor (R)

In view of this limiting clause, Professor Aremu urged the Federal Government and the National Universities Commission to review the policy preventing students who graduate through the Open and Distance Learning mode to participate in NYSC, adding that the inclusion of ODL graduates in NYSC will encourage the wide acceptance of ODL as a viable alternative to conventional university programmes.

He said “Although I cannot fault the decision of the government in creating this policy as it is a way of regulating the ODL programme. However, if the government can review the policy snag that exempts ODL students from participating in NYSC, then it would further widen access as regards distance learning education. The government should at least create a policy that will enable young ODL graduates of a certain age to go for NYSC just like they have in the conventional university programmes.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate on Thursday 6th July, 2017, concluded the amendment of the National Open University of Nigerian (NOUN) Act which will ‎enable students of the university to go for the compulsory one year NYSC as well as allow Law students from the university to get admitted into Law School.

The Senate reached its resolution based on a clause by clause‎ consideration of the amendment of the NOUN Act by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tetfund, chaired by Senator Jubril Barau. The Senate’s amendment of the NOUN Act thus appears to be a beacon of hope to students on the Open and Distance Learning mode in other Nigerian Universities.