A STUDY OF THE NUC INTERVENTION ON DISTANCE EDUCATION PRACTICES IN DUAL-MODE FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Distance education which emerged from the simple theory of possibility and effectiveness of teaching and learning without physical contact of the learners and tutors is adopted by Nigeria. A lot of Nigerians have benefitted from this mode of educational offering since 1887 when it was introduced into the country by the University of London. The programme was initially provided by the University of London, foreign and local correspondence colleges before it commenced in the country's universities in 1974. This paper traced the historical development of the programme between 1974 and 2014 and the extent of government support. Historical research method was used to trace the evolution of the programme, while TQPUDEP was used to collect data on the effects of the NUC intervention on ODL Practices in the three dual-mode federal universities in southwestern Nigeria selected for the study. The findings revealed that the federal government had intervened and supported ODL programme in several ways. The NUC intervention led to improved quality assurance, instructional technology deployment, and capacity development. It is recommended that the federal government should regulate the power supply and assist the institutions financially to overcome the problems of low internet bandwidths, instructional technology, and facilities. While the NUC should intensify efforts on quality control and supervision, the institutions should increase the bandwidths, acquire more modern and relevant instructional technologies, produce standard and interactive course materials for the students, provide adequate learner support services, and offer massive training on the use of JCT.