TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION IN OPEN AND DISTANCE EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: THE CHALLENGE OF ADEQUATE FUNDING IN A DWINDLING ECONOMY

Abstract

This work examines open and distance education in Nigeria with emphasis on technology integration and the challenges of adequate funding in a dwindling economy. Review of related literature was used to exploit the concept of open and distance learning, policy framework of open and distance learning, its relevance and characteristics. Funding of education in Nigeria in the recent years was discussed. The paper identifies the need for technology integration in ODE and the challenge of ICT infrastructural development in Nigeria. Challenges associated with poor funding of ODE including inadequate specialist of instructional designer, inadequate content developers’ poor electricity, poor internet connectivity and poor IT infrastructural development in the centres among others. The authors observed that ODE is instrumental in giving remedy to people who could not meet up schooling at the appropriate time, when they ought to have done so. Therefore, the authors recommended that Funding of ODE in Nigeria should be government priority irrespective of the nature and condition of the economy. More so, Integration of technology in all the dual mode institutions should be prioritized through ICT infrastructural development especially for ODE programmes