A senior lecturer at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Obhajajie Juliet Inegbedion, has said that open universities in the country must consider diverse learner profiles and adapt pedagogical approaches accordingly.
She argued that addressing barriers in open education requires comprehensive planning and consideration of diverse learner needs.
Inegbedion made this known at the NOUN's 38th inaugural lecture titled, "Breaking Barriers: Planning and Expanding the Frontiers of the Open University", which she delivered on Thursday, 26th February, 2026 at the NOUN conference centre in Abuja.
She pointed out that there are different types of open education, including open courses, open science, and open technology, explaining that open university aims to remove barriers to learning, including emotional, language and connectivity challenges.
Inegbedion, a Professor of Educational Administration in the NOUN's Faculty of Education, stressed the need to distinguish between open and distance education to avoid policy misalignment.
In her call for action, she said, "If we are truly committed to breaking barriers and expanding the frontiers of open university education, then we must move beyond rhetoric and embrace a transformative agenda that positions open universities as engines of national development, social justice, and lifelong learning."
Inegbedion stated that open universities were established to democratise education, dismantle structural inequalities, and provide flexible learning pathways for all regardless of age, gender, location, or socio-economic background, adding, "Yet, to fulfill this mandate in 21st century, we must rethink our systems, redesign our policies, and re-imagine our future."
Proposing a roadmap, the professor outlines policy reform which include that regulatory bodies must formally distinguish open universities from distance universities.
She said, "A nation must understand its educational gaps to determine whether an open or distance model is most appropriate.
"Accreditation system must become flexible, accommodating emerging technologies, modular learning, micro-credentials, and lifelong learning pathways."
In his opening remarks on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, has advised university dons to endeavour to deliver their inaugural lectures immediately they are made professors and not wait till they are about to retire.
He said NOUN will encourage its professors to have their inaugural lectures to share their knowledge and experience with the institution and the academic world.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the university's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, congratulated Inegbedion for a well-articulated lecture.
He said some of the points she raised would be looked into for further discussion.
Among the guests at the lecture was the immediate former Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olufemi A. Peters.
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