Online learning is the process of acquiring knowledge, education and instruction via electronic medium on individual basis to people i.e students who are not physically present in a conventional or traditional approach such as classroom.

 Various Universities imbibed the pattern of online university programmes as there are hundreds of well recorgnized and internatioal universities in U.S and U.K that run online programmes accepted world wide.

 It is pertinent to note that based on various industrial actions embarked upon by Academic Staff Union Of University (ASUU) that negate efforts of making nigeria University programmes to be ranked among the best in the world, though government  have roles to play in achieving these world class educational visions.

It is high time the government of Nigeria asked its regulatory agencies such as Nigerian University Commission to accredit reputable Universities that can compete globally to run online University Programmes in Nigeria.

Frankly speaking, the only Open University in Nigeria is not up to the challenges and tasks of running efficient and effective online university programmes, as its website is not user friendly and no constant website update among other observable problems in the system.

Most of its academic activities are done manually. Online university, if well structured, have various advantages over the traditional and conventional university programmes which includes the following;

–          Access to Education: Lectures are organized in a flexible manner which makes it easier and possible for poeple to access education .Working class people and students of school age can enrol to school at any time in any place.

The complaint associated with JAMB/UTME scores without university admission will be             reduced.

–          It bridges communication gap: Online University education helps to provide platform for students around the world to interact, learn and make new discoveries in their various fields of studies.

Student can also know the accreditation status of his/her programme.

-School fees: In a developing country like Nigeria where standard of living is relatively low, corruption is high; ability to finance tertiary education is very difficult. A closer assessment of online education with in-person learning shows that online learning is relatively cost effective and can save students alot of financial expenses associated with traditional education such as transportation, hostel fees e.t.c

Availability of e-books can also help to reduce difficulty faced by students in getting relevant textbooks and reference materials.

Presently, over 70% of Nigeria university students rely on internet search in extracting relevant information to solve various academic challenges.

-Quality Education for All: Irrespective of financial background, status, income, race, gender and ages, students can access online university education in any part of the world. Student can also review various lectures taught online at convinent time which is absolutely impossible through traditional and conventional university education.

Students with disabilities that cannot have access to in-person university learning can access online university anywhere, anytime.

As the world is a global village, various stakeholders in Nigeria; investors, regulators and government have roles to play in ensuring that university education is given adequate attention required to achieve its vision 20:2020

It is worthy to note that as efforts are made for establishment of online universities advancement in information technology is a driven force for the establishment of such, the format is not ideal for all courses as students pursuing medical courses will find it more appropriate to learn via traditional education than online approach.

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