UNILAG VC: Distance Learning Students Equal to Full-time Scholars

The Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, has said that students in the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) are not different from those studying full-time on campus.

She explained during a UNILAG DLI international colloquium that both groups now go through the same admission screening and academic standards. She added that the certificates given to DLI graduates do not carry “distance learning,” so they are the same as every other UNILAG certificate.

According to her, the negative perception about DLI graduates is just stigma. The school has been working on quality assurance and setting minimum standards so that their graduates can compete well in the labour market.

Right now, the ratio of DLI to full-time students is about 1:3, but the university is planning to increase DLI enrollment from 12,000 to 50,000 in the future.

The main challenge is poor internet access, especially for students in rural areas. She noted that the government still needs to do more in this area, while the university continues to improve its online learning system.