Nigerians love formal education, this is a fact. The number of secondary school graduates who are seeking admission into tertiary educational institutions all over the nation exceeds 10 million per year. As a result, universities- which are the first choice of these students- always get more application than they can handle. This is what led Vice Chancellors at Nigerian universities to create distance learning programs.
Distance learning programs are a good alternative to the traditional university courses. You go to lectures elsewhere but you receive the same degree that proper students get at the end of your program. Moreover, you will be exempted from the mandatory one-year youth service after graduation. This program has a lot of advantages and many universities have adopted it and have numerous centers all over the country.
Nevertheless, not all universities have distance learning programs accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). This will come as a shock to you, but your alma mater probably isn’t accredited to run distance learning programs.
Here are the universities with a license to run distance learning programs in Nigeria.
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University of Ibadan
The University of Ibadan, one of the best universities in the country, has a very well functional distance learning center. You, however, need to take your time, ponder and consider whether you would like to join their program.
Distance Learning University Student Receiving LecturesFor entry into 100L, a student only need 5 O/L credits at one sitting or 6 at two sittings. Direct entry applicants go straight to 200L and are required to have at least 2 A-Level papers, NCE or its equivalent as well as the entry requirements into 100L of the program.
There are a number of programs available in addition to a ton of information about entry requirements, process and mode of study- it’s all detailed at www.dic.ui.edu.ng/admission.
Furthermore, the whole admission process is online and the varsity urges candidates strongly to be careful so as not to pay into a wrong bank account.
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
OAU is another vibrant university with a strong Distance Learning Center. The Center runs several programs in a number of selected courses. There’s a pre-degree program in which students gain university admission after a one-year coaching curriculum.
The Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) program sees students gain direct entry admission into 200L in Nigerian universities and abroad. In addition to this are undergraduate and postgraduate programs which help students stay competitive in their career paths.
Furthermore, the varsity runs certificate and diploma programs. The certificate program helps you build on your skills or develop new ones while the Diploma helps you to enhance already acquired skills with credible knowledge.
More information about the programs available can be found at http://www.oaucdl.edu.ng/home/?q=list-programmes
University of Lagos Akoka
UNILAG is expected to be among universities with Distance Learning Centres in Nigeria, simply because it is located in the commercial hub of the country.
Distance Learning University Student Writing ExamsThe center runs a pretty tight ship. There are several guides and rules which must be adhered to. For example, applicants aren’t allowed to be less than 21 years old, people awaiting results aren’t allowed to apply and the offer of admission are subject to a viable number of qualified applicants. In addition, candidates will have to write a selection test to get in.
More information is available at http://dli.unilag.edu.ng/.
University of Maiduguri
The University of Maiduguri’s Center for Distance Learning prides itself on complementing conventional Universities in providing accessible, affordable and qualitative education. It was set up in 2004.
The minimum age for admission is 16 years, and the application is done online. There’s also a step-by-step guide on the center’s website.
More information can be found at http://www.unimaidcdl.edu.ng/
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso
LAUTECH is another university with an accredited distance learning center in Nigeria. The application is online and is open to students who scored above 180 on the UTME. Furthermore, a computer proficiency training and the test will be conducted for all applicants.
There are many admission categories (4 years, 3 and 2-year studies) with different admission requirements. You can get more info at http://lodlc.lautech.edu.ng/application/advert.aspx
Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
ABU has a robust distance learning center. It majorly runs MBA programs although It recently unveiled 7 diploma programs which it will run on its e-learning platform.
The fees for the MBA will be considered hefty by the average Nigerians and that’s why some form of financial aid is available for applicants.
There’s more detailed information about course structure, fees and so on at http://www.abudlc.edu.ng/
The last two Nigerian universities accredited for distance learning programs are:
The University of Nigeria Abuja and Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola
