Open Learning Key to Closing Education Gap, Says Olowolafe
Newly invested Pro-Chancellor of Miva Open University, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, has identified open and distance learning as a critical tool for bridging Nigeria’s widening higher education gap, insisting that quality education must be made accessible to all without compromising standards.
Olowolafe made the assertion on Saturday during the maiden convocation ceremony of Miva Open University held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, Iganmu, Lagos, where the institution graduated its pioneer set of students.
Speaking shortly after his investiture as Pro-Chancellor, Olowolafe described the convocation as a historic milestone not only for the university but also for the advancement of technology-driven education in Nigeria.
According to him, millions of Nigerians remain unable to access conventional university education due to limited admission spaces, geographical constraints, work commitments and economic realities, making open learning an increasingly important alternative.
“Education must be designed to meet learners where they are. Expanding access should never be mistaken for lowering standards. Rather, it is about removing barriers and creating opportunities for every willing learner to succeed,” he said.
The Pro-Chancellor noted that while open and distance learning has existed for decades, its potential has not been fully harnessed despite its capacity to democratize access to higher education.
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Drawing inspiration from the educational philosophy of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Olowolafe said Miva Open University represents a modern approach to bringing education closer to the people through innovation and technology.
He commended the university’s management and academic staff for maintaining quality as enrolment continues to grow, stressing that sustaining excellence at scale remains one of the defining tests of any credible institution.
Addressing the graduating students, Olowolafe urged them to view their degrees as the beginning rather than the end of their educational journey.
“In a rapidly changing world, continuous learning and self-development remain the most valuable assets anyone can possess,” he said, encouraging the graduates to become worthy ambassadors of the university.
The Pro-Chancellor also called for greater commitment to national development, arguing that Nigeria’s challenges stem less from a lack of resources and more from inadequate organisation, discipline and collective resolve.
“Nigeria’s greatest challenge is not the absence of resources but the absence of organised will. National progress depends on educated, responsible and committed citizens who are prepared to contribute to something bigger than themselves,” he stated.
The maiden convocation ceremony marked a significant milestone in Miva Open University’s growth and underscored the increasing acceptance of digital and open learning models as viable pathways for expanding access to quality higher education in Nigeria.
Education stakeholders at the event described the graduation of the university’s pioneer students as a strong indication of the growing relevance of technology-enabled learning in addressing the country’s educational challenges.
