{
  "id": 3300156,
  "title": "Osinbajo, UNILAG urge wider distance learning to bridge university access gap",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/osinbajo-unilag-urge-wider-distance-learning-to-bridge-university",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T16:24:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/osinbajo-unilag-urge-wider-distance-learning-to-bridge-university-access-gap/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and University of Lagos Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola have called for the expansion of open and distance learning in Nigeria to address the growing demand for university education. This was made during the fifth colloquium of the Distance Learning Institute of the University of Lagos, held in Lagos. Osinbajo, who chaired the event, emphasized that Nigeria cannot bridge its university access gap solely through conventional campus-based education due to the increasing number of young people seeking admission. He highlighted that more than 2.2 million Nigerians apply annually for tertiary education admission, but only about a quarter are admitted due to the country's historical pattern. Osinbajo argued that the expansion of open and distance learning should be seen as a national necessity, not a peripheral alternative. He noted that artificial intelligence could enable institutions to provide personalized learning experiences and mass access to students. Ogunsola echoed similar sentiments, stating that Nigeria's large youth population and the need for higher education have made it essential to rethink traditional models of education. She emphasized that open and distance learning should be valued as much as conventional university degrees and stressed the importance of treating ODL as a core institutional strategy.",
  "summary": "Former VP Osinbajo and UNILAG VC advocate for expanded distance learning in Nigeria to bridge the university access gap and meet growing demand for educati Read More: https://punchng.com/osinbajo-unilag-urge-wider-distance-learning-to-bridge-university-access-gap/",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo urges expansion of open and distance learning in Nigeria.",
    "University of Lagos Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola supports wider distance learning.",
    "Over 2.2 million Nigerians annually apply for tertiary education admission."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Osinbajo, UNILAG urge wider distance learning to bridge university access gap",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/osinbajo-unilag-urge-wider-distance-learning-to-bridge-university-3301987",
        "published": "2026-08-25T16:34:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}