Experts speaks on why e-learning may not work in Nigeria

Experts have spoken on why e-learning may not be effective in Nigeria, proffer possible solutions.

The National President of National association of Ondo State students (NAOSS), Comrade Kikiowo Ayoade alongside his counterpart, Glory Abimbola, a tutor and scholar, has analyzed what could cause hindrances to effective running of e-learning in Nigeria.
They made this known in an interactive session on Whatsapp titled “Let’s Discuss” yesterday where they spoke on the “Extents and Limitations of E-learning in Nigeria.”

According to Kikiowo, effective running of e-learning will be hindered by so many factors ranging from availability of e-learning facilities, such as computers, inefficient internet access from the part of the lecturers and as well the students, finances among others.

On his own part, Abimbola believes that to ensure effective running of e-learning in Nigeria, the lecturers should be fully equipped and we’ll educated about the use of e-learning and general use of computer as not all lecturers can comfortably operate a computer on their own without help. So, he suggested that the lecturers on their part needs orientation before we can jump to the use of e-learning.

It is noteworthy that Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has earlier kicked against the idea of e-learning in Nigeria immediately the education minister made the suggestion, arguing that there is no University in Nigeria that has effective e-learning facilities, the libraries of many Nigerian Universities are not automated at all while very few are partially automated.

More so, NAOSS National president, Comrade Kikiowo Ayoade when analyzing the problems faced by many Nigerian institutions has descried many Universities in Nigeria as “glorified primary schools.” He said:

 77% of Nigerian universities can be classified as "Glorified Primary Schools" Laboratories are non existing

He further listed other problems faced by many Nigerian institutions including lack of staffs, students-lecturer ratio is heartbreaking, over populations in lecture rooms and use of outdated teaching methods and teaching equipment.

However, the duo has suggested disbursement of funds and adequate tracking of projects in Nigerian institutions among all other solutions.

 If we sincerely want the best for these teeming Students, massive funding and investments in the student’s education must be activated as suggested by ASUU in their various policies and suggestions to the Government for a better education." They agreed.

Speaking further, Ayoade reemphasized the government’s need to adequately track all funds and projects approved for the education system. He said;

  “Government need to decisively increase, review and monitor, step by step, every fund released, targeted at supporting the youths or the students, such as the Bursaries, Scholarships, entrepreneurial funds, etc to achieve the great goals.”

In conclusion, the duo however suggested we start with what we have at hand as this may be the positive side of COVID-19 pandemic on the education system, but suggest immediate response to the education system. They also noted that if the E-learning method is to commence using what we have, the lecturers are on strike and they need immediate attention.