Online Universities Could Transform Nigeria, Says Peter Obi

Online Universities Could Transform Nigeria, Says Peter Obi
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has called online universities a game-changer for Nigeria’s education sector and overall development. Speaking at Nexford University’s convocation on Saturday, Obi emphasized their role as a vital alternative to the nation’s traditional higher education institutions.
He pointed out how countries like Pakistan, India, and Turkey have successfully utilized online education to boost their education systems. Some of their online universities enroll more students than all Nigerian universities combined.
“Online education is very critical,” Obi said. “In countries like Pakistan, India, and Turkey, their universities have more students than all our universities put together. You can see the critical impact of this. It is the next stage of development.”
Obi highlighted the connection between a nation’s educational progress and its overall development. He stressed that online education can accelerate learning, especially in a country as vast as Nigeria.
“Education is one of the most important tools of development. The more educated a country is, the more developed it becomes. We need to massively educate people, and whatever you can do to accelerate that is critical,” he said.
He also noted the importance of combining various educational methods to tackle the challenges facing Nigeria’s education sector.
“We have to combine all available systems,” Obi said. “This is a huge country. Countries with populations similar to ours are already doing this. We cannot afford to lag behind.”
Obi stressed that effective leadership is crucial for fostering education and development. He underlined the need for leaders with character and compassion to support innovative initiatives like online universities.
“Leadership is the most important factor,” Obi said. “You have to have the right character and compassion. You need to care about others to lead effectively. Unfortunately, what we see today are people driven by selfish interests.”
Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former Nigerian education minister, echoed Obi’s sentiments. Speaking at the same event, Ezekwesili encouraged Nigerian youths to acquire modern skills like Artificial Intelligence (AI). She emphasized that these skills are essential to stay competitive in the rapidly changing global job market.
“AI will revolutionize the future of work globally,” Ezekwesili said. “Young people must prepare themselves by acquiring the skills needed for this transformation.”
Ezekwesili, a board member of Nexford University, highlighted the importance of building a workforce that can compete on a global scale. Her message resonated strongly with the graduating students and attendees.
Fadl Al Tarzi, the CEO of Nexford University, congratulated the graduating students for their resilience and commitment to making a difference. He praised their efforts to develop real-time solutions that could change the world.
Al Tarzi also shared the vision behind Nexford University, which aims to enable global economic mobility. The institution strives to provide quality education without requiring students to leave their home countries.
“Our mission is to empower people with the knowledge they need to succeed globally while staying rooted locally,” Al Tarzi said.
The event underscored the growing relevance of online education in addressing Nigeria’s educational challenges. Traditional universities often struggle with limited capacity and outdated systems, leaving many young Nigerians without access to quality higher education. Online universities, with their flexibility and scalability, offer a viable solution to these challenges.
As Obi and other leaders highlighted, education remains the foundation for any nation’s growth. Leveraging technology and innovative solutions like online learning can bridge the gaps in Nigeria’s educational system and help unlock the potential of its vast population.
With millions of Nigerians eager for educational opportunities, the push for online universities couldn’t be more timely. Leaders like Peter Obi and organizations like Nexford University are paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future. By embracing online education, Nigeria has the chance to empower its people, drive development, and compete on a global stage.
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