The future of learning in Nigeria takes a bold step forward with the arrival of American Open University, amid existing public and private online tertiary education institutes in the country.

Built on innovation, accessibility, and global standards, the American Open University promises to redefine how Nigerians access higher education, breaking barriers of distance, time, and opportunity.

Education experts admit that the way forward to achieving inclusive and equitable quality education in the 21st-century is through open, distance and e-learning (ODeL) approach, which is in tandem with the sustainable development goal four (SDG4).

Som Naidu, head of research and evaluation in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Research Support at the University of Melbourne, Australia, speaking at the second international colloquium organised by the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), University of Lagos (UNILAG), pointed out that there is a need to unbundle the way higher institutions package learning via integration of technology in teaching and learning.

“For a future focused education, a rethink and recalibration of the educational as well as institutional choreographies is required,” he said.

In today’s rapidly changing world, where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, it is imperative that Nigeria begin to adapt its educational practices accordingly.

Nigeria’s institutions of higher education must embrace this opportunity to reimagine the learning experience and equip their students with the skills necessary to navigate the challenges of the 21st century.

Hybrid instruction, also known as blended learning, combines the best of both of the physical and virtual worlds: the rich engagement and interpersonal interaction offered by face-to-face teaching, and the flexibility and accessibility of online platforms.

With this kind of learning mediums, many Nigerians, especially the working class who desires to further their education can be able to achieve their academic ambitions.

Hence, the addition of American Open University in the list of existing distance and online learning institutions in Nigeria, is a step in the right direction.

David Akanbi, the president/founder of American Open University, reflecting on the journey to landing the institution in Nigeria, said, “Visions don’t die. Even when the visioners pass on, the dream continues. Fortunately, today, the dream has come true, and the team that championed it is here to celebrate it.”

Akanbi articulated the university’s core philosophy, inspired by Buckminster Fuller: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”

He emphasised that the institution is in Nigeria to bridge the old tradition of ‘go to school, get good grades, get a job,’ and build an institution with wider walls.

“We have built an institution where the walls of the classroom are as wide as the world itself. Through our hybrid model and partnerships with global giants such as Microsoft, Google, and Cisco, we are telling the Nigerian student: You are no longer limited,” he said.

This mode of study will obviously take care of over 76 million Nigerian youth who need to be catered for in the higher education, and unfortunately, the traditional higher institutions’ system of campuses will not solve the problem, because the university system caters for a very low percent of people.

Hence, to bridge the gap, the country need technology, therefore, open distance learning is the way it must go.

Some of the functional distance and online institutions in Nigeria includes National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN); Miva Open University, Abuja; Iconic Open University, Sokoto; West Midland Open University, Ibadan; and Al-Muhibbah Open University, Abuja;

There are conventional universities operating distance and online education such as the Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan; University of Lagos, Distance Learning Institute; and University of Abuja, Centre for Distance Learning and Continuing Education.

Others include University of Maiduguri, Centre for Distance Learning; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Centre for Distance Learning; Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Centre for Distance Learning; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Open and Distance Learning Centre; Distance learning Centre, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria;. Lagos State University Open and Distance Learning and Research Institute; and Joseph Ayo Babalola University Centre for Distance Learning.

Also included are University of Nigeria, Nsukka Centre for Distance and e-Learning; Federal University of Technology Minna, Centre for Open Distance and e-Learning; Babcock University Ilisan-Remo, Centre for Open Distance and e-Learning; University of Ilorin, Centre for Open and Distance Learning; Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti – Open and Distance Learning Centre; Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Open and Distance Learning Centre; and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Porthacourt, Institute of Distance Education, among others.

American Open University is in Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in the country’s higher education landscape. The institution introduces a flexible, globally oriented learning model designed to expand access to quality education for students and working professionals alike.

By leveraging digital platforms and international academic standards, the university aims to equip learners with relevant skills for today’s competitive job market, while contributing to the growth and modernisation of Nigeria’s education sector. (Business Day)