Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, recently emphasized the importance of utilizing artificial intelligence and open distance learning to address the education crisis in Nigeria. Speaking at the third international colloquium and 50th anniversary of learning opportunities organized by the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obasanjo highlighted the need for innovative solutions to tackle the challenges facing the education sector in the country.
The theme of the Colloquium, “The Massive and Ubiquitous Invasion of the Education Landscape By Artificial Intelligence: Whither Open, Flexible and Distance Learning?” underscored the significance of incorporating technology into education to enhance learning opportunities for all. Obasanjo pointed out that over 20 million Nigerian children are currently out of school, indicating a major crisis in the education sector that needs to be addressed urgently.
Acknowledging the potential of artificial intelligence and open distance learning to mitigate the education crisis, Obasanjo shared his personal experience of enrolling in an open distance learning university. He emphasized the importance of practicing what one preaches and highlighted the success of distance learning in providing accessible education to a wider population.
Obasanjo commended the efforts of the university management in fostering innovation and development within and outside the institution. He noted that distance learning and teaching could help alleviate issues related to accommodation and transportation for students, making education more accessible and inclusive.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, expressed pride in the institution’s commitment to distance learning, recognizing the future of education as technology-based. With a population of 226 million people in Nigeria, the majority of whom are young individuals between 15 and 30 years old, there is a pressing need to educate a large number of people effectively.
Ogunsola highlighted the university’s innovative approach to education, noting that a quarter of the two million people in the university system are engaged in distance learning. She emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to drive education forward and ensure that the institution remains at the forefront of educational innovation.
The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Ramesh Sharma, Director of Distance Education at the University of Guyana, South America, discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on open distance and online education careers. Sharma emphasized that AI could enhance teaching and learning by predicting student success, identifying at-risk students, and providing valuable insights from research data.
Prof. Risikat Dauda, Director of the Distance Learning Institute at UNILAG, reiterated the institute’s commitment to promoting the responsible use of AI for educational purposes. She emphasized the rapid transformation of traditional teaching and learning paradigms due to the incursion of AI in the education sector.
Overall, the colloquium highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence and open distance learning to revolutionize education and address the challenges facing the sector. With a focus on innovation, technology, and inclusivity, institutions like UNILAG are paving the way for a more accessible and effective education system in Nigeria and beyond.