ACDE PAPERS IN BOOK FORM 1.pdf - National Open University of ...

I want to thank the Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, the Local
Organising Committee, the entire executive members of the 2 nd African of Distance
Education, and all those who have given me this honour to deliver the Keynote address at
this 2 nd ACDE Conference and General Assembly. I am particularly grateful to the
authorities who planned this programme for giving me an open cheque to choose a topic for
my presentation. My choice was influence by a desire to challenge the minds of the
participants, all of whom are celebrated experts and specialists in the ever expanding field
of Open and Distance Learning (ODL).
Open and distance learning (ODL) has been correctly identified as a panacea for the myriad
of problems in educational systems in Africa. For one thing, it is inclusive and free of
restrictions imposed by distance and space. Moreover, it creates opportunities for those
excluded from formal education because of their gender, age or status. ODL makes
education accessible to those who are unable to study full time due to their social
responsibilities and commitments.
Open and distance learning is most relevant in places where access to learning is limited at
various levels. And, perhaps, no other region in the world needs more urgent access to
training, retraining and further training than Africa. Indeed all reports currently indicate
that Africa is far behind all other regions of the world at all levels of educational
development. This situation will continue to adversely affect the continent’s human
resource development, and make it less competitive, less resourceful and ill-equipped to
assert itself in the global community. All these issues demand that education in Africa must
be stepped up if the continent is to realise its potentials. Presently, Africa is behind on of a
number of areas, for example, it is not on target meet many of the development goals set
up by the international community.
The challenges of the Education for All (EFA) and the Millennium Developme Council nt
Goals (MDGs) underscore the need to tackle the problem of poverty, gender discrimination,
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