National Open University of Nigeria: Contributions, Challenges and Way Forward

Abstract

This paper looked at the historical development of the National Open University of
Nigeria, its contributions to national development and the challenges the National Open University
of Nigeria is facing. Qualitative and quantitative data were used in the paper. The data were collected
from online publications and print materials. The paper depends on primary and secondary data. The
paper argued that the National Open University of Nigeria since its establishment has been
contributing to the social-economic and technological advancement of the country. Some of the
contributions of the National Open University of Nigeria include; the development of manpower,
increment in enrolment of university education, enrolment of post-graduate education, ensuring
stable university education, and development of research and course materials development. In the
areas of challenges militating against the operation of the National Open University of Nigeria, the
paper identified poor funding, inadequate staff, inadequate infrastructure facilities, poor internet
services and unstable power supply

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National Open University of Nigeria: Contributions, Challenges and
Way Forward
Niyi Jacob Ogunode1, Victor Olugbenga Ayoko2
1Department of Education, University of Abuja, Nigeria
2Faculty of Education, National Open University of Nigeria
Abstract: This paper looked at the historical development of the National Open University of
Nigeria, its contributions to national development and the challenges the National Open University
of Nigeria is facing. Qualitative and quantitative data were used in the paper. The data were collected
from online publications and print materials. The paper depends on primary and secondary data. The
paper argued that the National Open University of Nigeria since its establishment has been
contributing to the social-economic and technological advancement of the country. Some of the
contributions of the National Open University of Nigeria include; the development of manpower,
increment in enrolment of university education, enrolment of post-graduate education, ensuring
stable university education, and development of research and course materials development. In the
areas of challenges militating against the operation of the National Open University of Nigeria, the
paper identified poor funding, inadequate staff, inadequate infrastructure facilities, poor internet
services and unstable power supply.
Keywords: Administration, Distance education, Challenges, National Open University.
Introduction
Distance education has become an important policy option for educational planners in developing
countries. In the context of Nigeria, the increasing population, the growing national demand for
education, dwindling financial resources, increasing fiscal constraints, and therefore narrowing of
access to education led to the emergence of Open Universities in Nigeria to salvage the promise of
education only to be choked prematurely to death. Its subsequent re-emergence points to its
imperative in salvaging the demand for placement in the universities in Nigeria (Ambe-Uva, 2007).
Since the inception of the National Open University of Nigeria and other related open-distance
educational institutions, there have been challenges militating against the administrative operation of
the various institutions especially the National Open University of Nigeria. It is because of this that
this paper is aimed to examine the challenges militating against the administrative operations of the
National Open University of Nigeria.
Objectives of the paper
The objective of this paper is to examine the challenges militating against the administration
operation of the National Open University of Nigeria. The specific objective includes;
1. To examine the historical development of the National Open University of Nigeria.

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2. To identify the contributions of the National Open University of Nigeria to the social economic
development of Nigeria
3. To assess the challenges militating against the administration operation of the National Open
University of Nigeria.
4. To recommend solutions to the identified challenges.
Methodology
The objective of this paper is to examine the challenges militating against the administration
operation of the National Open University of Nigeria. To do this, we adopted the use of both
secondary and primary data. The secondary data were drawn from print and online resources like;
textbooks, journal articles, magazines, discussion programmes, newspapers facsimiles, etc. On the
other hand, the primary data were drawn from the author's experience in the administration of Open
Universities and personal experiences as administrative staff of a public university in Nigeria.
Content Analysis was used to facilitate proper understanding and analysis of data on problems faced
by the National Open University of Nigeria.
Theoretical Framework
This paper is anchored on system theory which was developed by David Easton in 1953. The theory
was adapted from the natural sciences, especially Biology in the works of Ludwig Von Bertallanty. It
found its way into the social sciences through anthropology and sociology (Olaniyi, 2001; Johari,
2013). This system views an administrative system as a sub-system of society. It looks at various
parts of an administrative system and examines the interlinkages among the various parts. It analyses
the dynamic interactions between the administrative system and its external environment. According
to Koontz et al. (1980), almost all life is a system; that is the human body, family, educational
institutions, bank, government and house are all systems and each of them has interrelated parts
which work together to form complex unity.
Katz (2015) argue that all social systems are contrived systems in the sense that they are made by
human beings and are imperfect systems such as the university that should be seen as a total system
which has interrelated parts with a single goal. The university system comes in different forms such
as conventional universities, research universities, specialized universities like agricultural
universities, technological universities etc. to achieve the objectives of the university system, all
these forms of universities tend towards the achievement of the central goals of the entire global
goals of universities if there is a fault in any of these universities it would affect the whole university
system. Therefore, the total performance of all the forms of universities affects the overall
performance of the whole university system. The systems approach helps in the identification and
solution of specific university problems (Yalokwu, 2006). The university system is like the general
system whereby various parts are working harmoniously to keep the system in stability and optimal
performance (Koontz et al, 1980).
Conceptual Framework
Historical Development of the National Open University of Nigeria
The National Open University of Nigeria is like the national open university of other countries in the
World. The idea of an Open University in Nigeria was first muted by the National Universities
Commission (NUC), the Nigerian government regulatory agency for all universities, in 1976. The
NUC, then headed by Prof. Jubril Aminu as the Executive Secretary (1975-1979) sent a Memo to the
Federal Military Government suggesting that an autonomous Open University be established for
Nigeria during the Fourth National Development Plan (1981-1985). This was accepted by the
Federal Government and subsequently, the idea made its appearance in the National Policy on
Education in 1977. In Section Five Paragraph 40, Sub-section A of the Policy, the Government
declared that: Maximum efforts will be made to enable those who can benefit from higher education
to be given access to it. Such access may be through universities or correspondence courses, open
universities, or part-time and work-study programmes. The Higher Education Division of the Federal

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Ministry of Education went to work on the process of creating an Open University and integrating it
with the existing educational system in the country (NOUN, 2022).
On assumption of leadership of Nigeria as the Civilian President in October 1979, Alhaji Shehu
Shagari, immediately set up a Presidential Planning Committee on the Open University system to
work out modalities for the establishment of an Open University for the country. Prof. Afolabi Ojo
of the then the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) was appointed
Chairman of the Committee on 14th April 1980. Other members of the Committee included Prof.
A.E. Afigbo (UNN, Nsukka) and Dr Aminu Orayi (ABU, Zaria) and Mr E.C. Uzodinma, who served
as secretary but was later replaced by Mr Olamogoke (NOUN, 2022).
The Presidential Planning Committee presented its report in October 1980. The report which
included the draft Bill for the University was approved. The Open University of Nigeria Bill, after
passing through all the necessary official processes, which included a change of name to National
Open University, was finally ratified and signed into Law by President Shehu Shagari on 22nd July
1983 and was Gazetted on 27th July 1983, as the National Open University Act No. 6 of 1983, thus
giving the University legal basis for its existence. It is this Law which governs the existence of the
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) till today. It is worthy of note that upon the
establishment of the National Open University in 1983, the Government named Alhaji Aliyu Obaje,
the Attah of Igala as the Chancellor; Alhaji Shuaibu Na’ibi, the Madakin Suleja as the Pro-
Chancellor; Prof. Afolabi Ojo as the Vice-Chancellor and Alhaji H.A. Erubu as the Ag. Registrar.
However, it was sunset at dawn for the nascent university when unexpectedly, the Federal Military
Government that succeeded the Civilian Government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari suspended the
operation of the National Open University on 25th April 1984 (NOUN, 2022).
The Resuscitation of the National Open University of Nigeria came as a compelling need for wider
access to higher education for teeming Nigerians would not go away a decade and a half after the
suspension of the university, thus the idea of reviving the National Open University forcefully
entered into the government political narrative with the coming of the Civilian Government headed
by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999. In 2002, the suspended National Open University Act of 1983
was reactivated, thus resuscitating the National Open University with Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede as the
Vice-Chancellor. Prof. Jegede had earlier in 2001 been appointed as National Coordinator of, the
National Open and Distance Education Programme by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (NOUN, 2022).
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) as we have it today has become a leading ODL
institution in Africa providing functional, flexible, accessible and cost-effective education for all
who seek knowledge. It currently has 78 Study Centres spread across the six geo-political zones of
the country. The current student population stands at over five hundred thousand. As a faithful
trustee of the Nigerian people, NOUN leverages Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
to deliver an education tailored towards the globalized economy. The University offers exceptional
academic programmes that meet the specific needs of all sectors of the global economy, in the Arts;
Health; Law; Physical, Social, Agricultural and Management Sciences (NOUN, 2022). The National
Open University of Nigeria is like other public universities in Nigeria that are faced with lots of
challenges. It is the view of this paper to critically examine the challenges militating against the
administration of the National Open University of Nigeria.
Concept of National Open University
The National Open University of Nigeria is among the universities in Nigeria licensed to provide
higher education on the premise of teaching, research and community service. National Open
University is classified among the open distance learning institutions. National Open University is an
organized higher institution saddled with the responsibility of providing tertiary education through a
distance learning model in Nigeria. The National open university of Nigeria is a form of distance
education. Denga (1993), defines distance education as the transmission of knowledge through
various media such as programmed instructions, multi-media packages, home experiment kits,
prepared lectures and notes. It enables students living in remote or isolated parts, or who are
employees in full-time jobs or suffer from some physical handicaps to carry on their education at

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home through lessons through the post, radio, television or telephone. Distance Education is defined
by FRN (2004) as an educational process in which a significant proportion of the teaching is
conducted by someone removed in space and/or time from the learners; it involves the use of a range
of media such as print, written correspondence, audio, video, computer-based media and networks as
well as multi-media facilities for the presentation of information and communication between the
University and her students. Baraniuk (2012) as cited by Okebula (2013) listed the following as
objectives of open education to (a) bring people back into the educational equation – particularly
those who have been "shut out" of the traditional world, like talented teachers, scientists and
engineers out in the industry, and people who do not read and write English; (b) reduce the high cost
of teaching materials; (c) reduce the time lag between producing course materials and textbooks and
getting them into the hands of students. By the time many books are printed, they're out of date. This
is particularly problematic in fast-moving areas of science, technology, and medicine; and (d)
enables re-use and re-contextualisation such as translation and localisation, of course, materials into
myriad different languages and cultures.
The vision of the National Open University of Nigeria is to be regarded as the foremost university
providing highly accessible and enhanced quality education anchored by social justice, equity,
equality and national cohesion through a comprehensive reach that transcends all barriers and the
mission is to provide functional, cost-effective, flexible learning which adds life-long value to
quality education for all who seek knowledge (NOUN, 2022).
The major objectives of the National Open University of Nigeria are: to ensure equity and equality of
opportunities in education generally but specifically in university education; to provide wider access
to education generally but specifically university education in Nigeria; to enhance Education For All
and life-long learning; to provide the entrenchment of a global learning culture; to provide
instructional resources via an intensive use of information and communication technology; to
provide flexible, but qualitative education; and to reduce the cost, inconveniences, and hassles of
easy access to education and its delivery (NOUN, 2022).
Also, as an Open Distance Learning institution, NOUN is an equal opportunity university determined
to meet the following objectives that necessitated the establishment of open and distance education
in Nigeria: provision of Education for All and promotion of lifelong learning; filling the gap created
by the closure of outreaches/satellite campuses; Cost effectiveness; Improved economies of scale;
Flexibility of delivery system; Maximum utilization of academic personnel; On-the-job teacher
training; Poverty eradication, vocational and lifelong education; Provision of non-formal education;
Reaching the unreached d and Propagation of national orientation (NOUN, 2022).
Contributions of the National Open University of Nigeria
The National Open University of Nigeria since its establishment has been contributing to the social-
economic and technological advancement of the country. Some of the contributions of the National
Open University of Nigeria include; the development of manpower, increment in enrolment of
university education, enrolment of post-graduate education, ensure stable university education
development of research and course materials development.
Manpower Development
The establishment of the National Open University of Nigeria has led to the development of
manpower in Nigeria. One of the objectives of the National Open University of Nigeria is to help in
the production and development of manpower for the social-economic and technological
development of the country. Musa (2017) observes that the university education in Nigeria which
also included the National Open University of Nigeria has led to the development of many Nigerians
into sound and effective citizens. Here, university education more than any other has led to higher
self-awareness and self-realization of individuals at various tasks, enhanced better human
relationships, national consciousness and effective citizenship. One cannot doubt the fact that the
university education system has enhanced social, cultural, economic, political, scientific and
technological progress in Nigeria. The country is more blessed now with specialists in various fields
of endeavour: medicine, law, engineering, philosophy, education, etc. And due to this development,

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the nation is becoming more and more dynamic and self-reliant as the days go by. This has been
made possible because of university education. Okebukola, (2013) opines that Open education
comes in to address the human resource needs of the sector. There is a mushrooming of banking and
finance programmes in the Nigerian education system that open education can sanitise. With better-
developed and better-delivered curriculum materials in banking and finance, better-quality finance
experts for the public and private sectors will be assured of the right quantity and quality to run a
viable financial system. NOUN (2022) reports that 22,250 students graduated out of which 16,679
were undergraduates in 2022 and 5,571 were postgraduate students and 25 were inmates with one of
the inmates being a master's degree student.
Increment in Enrolment of University Education
The establishment of the National Open University of Nigeria has led increment in the enrolment of
people in university education in Nigeria. The National Open University of Nigeria has helped to
reduce the administration problem in Nigeria by opening up university education for many Nigeria
that has been denied access to university education in Nigeria. Many students are denied admission
every year in Nigeria (Ademola, Ogundipe, & Babatunde, 2014). The introduction of the National
Open University of Nigeria into the space of tertiary institutions in Nigeria has led to an increment in
the enrolment of students in the university education system. Okebukola, (2013) states that Nigeria
has one single-mode open university- the National Open University of Nigeria as well as six dual-
mode universities [conventional universities with distance learning centres] recognised by the
National Universities Commission. These are i.e. the Universities of Ibadan, Lagos, Abuja,
Maiduguri, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and the Federal University of Technology, Yola.
Total enrolment in the distance learning programmes of NOUN and the six dual–mode universities is
about 100,000 with great potential to offer more opportunities for qualitative university education, to
the teeming masses of Nigerians, if well-resourced, coordinated and properly regulated (Okebukola,
2013; Ramon-Yusuf, 2011).
Increment in Enrolment of Post-graduate Education
The National open university has also helped to increase the enrolment rate of post-graduate students
in Nigeria. The establishment of the National open university of Nigeria has led to the expansion of
post-graduate education in Nigeria. The university has granted post-graduate admission to many
Nigerians and many have graduated in the various master programmes and PhD Programmes. The
coming of the National Open University of Nigeria has expanded the admission of post-graduate
students in Nigeria
Stable University Education
The establishment of the National Open University in Nigeria has helped in the sustainability of
stable university education in Nigeria. The National Open University have helped to install the
possibility of a university without going on strike. The National Open University of Nigeria is a
university with a stable academic calendar. Since the inception of the university, there is nothing like
a strike. Ogunode, Yiolokun & Akeredolu (2019); Ogunode, Ugochukwu & Jegede (2022) describes
strike actions as one of the major problems Nigerian tertiary institutions are faced with. Strike
actions have nearly collapsed the conversion university system in Nigeria. Every government that
came on board since 1999 have been faced with the problems of strike actions. The National Open
University of Nigeria has not been part of these strike actions and this has made it possible for the
National Open University of Nigeria to ensure a stable university education system in Nigeria.
Research Development
The National Open University of Nigeria has contributed to research development in Nigeria and
across the world. Ogunode & Abubakar (2020) and Ogunode, Jegede, Adah, Audu, & Ajape, (2021)
note that research is the second cardinal programme of higher institutions. Research is very
important to the development of society. Research is conducted mostly in the higher institution's
environment to solve problems affecting society. The academic staff is saddled with the
responsibility of carrying out research in the universities. Conducting research is one criterion for

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measuring their performance. The National Open University of Nigeria in a bid to fulfil the mandate
of research programme implantation of the tertiary institutions directed many of its faculties and
department to commence annual journal publication. Every year the National Open University
publish various journals with rich empirical studies.
Course Materials Development
The National Open University of Nigeria is known for the production of course materials for each of
its programmes from first degree to PhD level. These textbooks or course materials come in form of
hardware copies and software copies online. These materials are very rich and useful for all tertiary
institutions across the globe. Many university students at both undergraduate level and post-graduate
levels have found these materials useful and impactful to their various studies. Many university
lecturers have adopted these materials to lecture their students and have even recommended them to
their students across Nigeria. NOUN materials come in form of software and hardware and they are
very useful to students, lecturers and researchers across Nigeria. The development of the literature at
the National Open University of Nigeria has contributed seriously to the expansion of literary works
in the Nigerian research spaces. Okebukola, (2013) submits that NOUN students that he interviewed
last week confirmed that the university has increasingly deployed online resources and that many
students are now able to access electronic textual materials and download same at remote locations.
The third force pushing up the profile of open and distance education is cross-border higher
education. Several online courses are being offered by a motley assortment of institutions from all
nooks and crannies of the world (Okebukola, 2008). Enrolment in these programmes by Nigerians
despite most being of doubtful quality has continued to take an upwards swing.
Challenges facing the National Open University of Nigeria
There are many challenges militating against the operation of the National Open University of
Nigeria. Some of these challenges include; poor funding, inadequate staff, shortage of infrastructure
facilities, poor internet services and unstable power supply.
Inadequate Funding
Poor funding is one of the major problems facing the administration of the National Open University
in Nigeria. The budgetary allocation release for the management and operational cost of National
open Nigeria is not adequate and this has affected the operation of some of their states and zonal
offices across the country. National Open University is like any other public university in Nigeria
that gets its allocation from the federal government through the National Universities Commission.
The university system requires a lot of funds to be able to implement its programme of teaching,
researching and community services. The annual budgetary allocation for the administration of
universities in Nigeria is grossly inadequate. The inability of the federal government to stick to the
UNESCO 15-20% of the national budget for education has affected the management of Nigerian
universities (Ogunode & Abubakar, 2020). The poor funding of public universities in Nigeria is
responsible for the poor quality of education, decayed infrastructure facilities and poor performance
(Adetunji & Ogunleye, 2015); Ahmed, & Dantata, 2016). The factors responsible for inadequate
funding of public universities in Nigeria include lack of political will, corruption, increase in
population, inflation, fall in national revenue and poor financial planning. The implications of
underfunding of public universities include; inadequate infrastructural facilities, shortage of
academics staff, poor quality of education, brain drain and strike action (Ogunode & Onyekachi
(2021); Ogunode & Ohunene & Olatunde-Aiyedun, 2022; Ogunode & Ndayebom, 2022).
Inadequate Academic Staff
Inadequate academic staff is another major problem facing the National Open University of Nigeria.
Many states and zonal offices of the National Open University of Nigeria are not having adequate
staff to manage the operation of the offices across the country. This is a problem common to all
public universities in Nigeria. Many public universities in Nigeria are understaffed and lack the
financial capacity to employ adequate staff (Ogunode & Adamu, 2021). Nigerian universities are
faced with the problem of a shortage of lecturers in many departments and faculties, especially in a

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programme like the sciences (Ogunode & Abubakar, 2020). Recently, National Universities
Commission (2021) submits that universities should be isolated from the Federal Government‘s
circular on new employment owing to the shortage of lecturers. The commission noted that 100,000
academic staff members were attending to 2.1 million students in Nigerian universities. The NUC
disclosed that the commission was supervising over 200 universities consisting of 48 belonging to
the Federal Government; 54 states and 99 private institutions. NUC observed that ―The entire
system has about 2.1 million students and a staff strength of about 170,000 non-teaching and
100,000 academic staff. ―Some of the problems facing the system include increased running costs,
meagre budgetary allocations, issues of power shortages and shortages of manpower. Ogunode
(20220); Ogunode & Adamu (2021); Ogunode & Okwelogu (2022) and Atelhe & Akande
(2018)notes that underfunding, poor manpower planning, poor motivation, government policy on the
embargo, corruption (Ghost worker) and strike action problems are the causes of inadequate
academic staff in the public universities in North-central Nigeria and the implications of the shortage
of academic staff in public universities include poor implementation of teaching programme, high
student-lecturers ratio, heavy workload for lecturers, poor local and international ranking, bad
international image, poor coverage of scheme of work and poor academic programme accreditation.
Shortage of Infrastructure Facilities
The National Open University of Nigeria is also faced with the problem of a shortage of
infrastructure facilities across some of their states and zonal offices across the country. Infrastructure
facilities, according to Ogunode, Abubakar & Ajape (2021) and Ogunode & Agwor (2021) are
facilities aiding the delivery of academic and non-academic services in educational institutions.
Infrastructural facilities include; libraries, laboratories, halls, offices, administrative blocks, hostels,
road facilities, water, electricity, internet etc. The availability of infrastructural facilities in adequate
quantities will support the effective administration of educational institutions and the inadequacies
will prevent the effective administration of educational institutions. Many public universities in
Nigeria do not have adequate lecture halls, laboratories and offices for both students and academic
staff (Ogunode, & Okwelogu, 2022). The shortage of these infrastructure facilities has affected the
operation of some of the states and zonal offices. Some of the National Open University in Nigeria
offices do not have adequate ICT facilities to run a stable and reliable programme. The factors
responsible for inadequate infrastructural facilities in Nigerian public universities according to
Ogunode & Adah (2022); Ogunode & Onyekachi (2021) include; underfunding, increased students
population, corruption, poor infrastructural facilities planning, poor supervision and inflation. The
implication of inadequate infrastructural facilities in Nigerian public universities includes; poor
quality of education, poor teaching and learning, low productivity, brain drain and overcrowding of
lecture halls (Ogunode & Jegede (2021); Ogunode, Akin-Ibidiran & Ibidiran 2022).
Poor Internet Service
Poor internet service is a major problem militating against the effective administration in the
National Open University offices across the country. The National Open University model of
operation is made possible through a virtual learning programme. National Open University depend
highly on ICT for connecting its tutors with students across the country. So, the poor internet
services in the country are affecting the programme of the National Open University of Nigeria.
Ogunode, Hammadu, Ahmed, & Ojo (2021) observes that internet service is what gives life to other
ICT facilities to function. In the absence of stable and quality internet service, other ICT facilities are
useless. Internet services can be described as the fuel that the ICT needs to operate or move. Internet
service is very important to the operation and utilization of ICT facilities in educational institutions.
In Nigeria, the quality of internet services is poor and ineffective. The various internet service
providers have not invested in the provision of quality services. The federal government agencies
regulating the activities of the internet service provided are very weak, and this is responsible for the
ineffectiveness of the internet service provision (Ogunode, Garba, Solomon, 2022). Many higher
institutions are not covered properly with internet services and this is affecting the application of ICT
for teaching (Ogunode, Babayo, Jegede, &Abubakar 2020). Much academic staff with their ICT
facilities cannot effectively use them because of weak internet services. In some public universities,

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ICT facilities have been provided in the lectures halls to aid in delivering the lecture through ICT but
if absent or poor internet services such ICT facilities are abandoned by the academic staff who are
supposed to be using them for lecturing
Unstable Power Supply
Another challenge the National Open University of Nigeria is facing is the problem of unstable
power supply. This problem Nigeria being a developing nation cannot boast of twenty-four hours
electricity supply to its citizens. The institutions are directly connected to Power Holdings Company
of Nigeria, yet no electricity of power is supplied to the institutions. It is a sad note that some of the
faculties and departments of the institutions cannot afford a generating set that can power the entire
computer for teaching and learning. Consequently, both the teachers and students are handicapped
and may not be able to offer computer lessons. As observed by Ogunode & Ayoko (2022) Constant
energy supply is a key to the realization of tertiary education objectives. Provision of adequate and
constant energy is critical to the development of tertiary institutions. Energy is one of the critical
resources that the tertiary institution cannot do without. Stable energy provision to the tertiary
institutions in Nigeria has been an issue. It is difficult to see any tertiary institutions enjoying stable
supply of energy. This problem of unstable power supply is affecting the development of tertiary
institutions in Nigeria. The National Open University is no difference because university system is
designed to function with constant supply of light. Almost all the administrative activities in the
universities required light. The university system is system that deals with activities of typing,
photocopying, sending of mails and receiving mails and printing of documents. The university
system is also a system that deals with production, distribution and consumption of documents that
required typing, printing, photocopying and distribution. Okebukola, (2013) observes that the
impediments to a steady power supply are numerous and some of them include; inadequacy in
generation and distribution is one. The other is corruption. On the corruption angle, the observation
in the public domain is that persons or groups who are benefitting from the importation of generators
are committed to stalling reforms in the energy sector. The third impediment is the capacity deficit in
specialised technical skills demanding dependence on expatriate engineers and technicians. It is this
impediment that open education can tackle. Ogunode, Okwelogu, &Olatunde-Aiyedun (2021);
Deebom & Zite, (2016 submitted that unstable electricity is another challenge preventing the
utilization of ICT for teaching in many public universities across the country. Electricity is key to the
effective application of ICT in educational institutions. Electricity is the backbone of ICT
infrastructural facilities. Ogunode, Garba, Solomon, (2022) and Adavbiele (2016) opined that
technological and science laboratories are run using electricity. Computers cannot operate without
electricity even if all the equipment required is present. Several teachers today have never used
computers in their lives and they are shy when they are confronted with this new technology and the
terminology associated with using them. Some schools do not have them provided for their teachers
and some teachers may not be economically buoyant to buy one for themselves. It is unfortunate that
in Nigeria the power generation for the entire over 200 million people is below 10,000 megawatts.
The poor power supply is one of the major problems facing the economy of the country and the
entire educational institution.
Way Forward
Based on the identified challenges militating against the administration of the National Open
University of Nigeria, the paper hereby recommended the following; increment in the budgetary
allocation of the National Open University of Nigeria. This will enable the university to provide
adequate infrastructure facilities to all its state and zonal offices across the country. The increment in
the funding of the National Open University of Nigeria will also enable the employee more academic
and non-academic staff to strengthen the workforce of the institutions. The government should
ensure internet service providers and energy companies improve the quality of their internet service
and electricity supply across the country. This will help to improve the services of the National Open
University of Nigeria its operation mostly depend on stable internet services and stable energy
electricity to carry out its programme.

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Conclusion
This paper examined the historical development of the National Open University of Nigeria and its
contributions to national development. The paper also analyzed the various challenges facing the
national open university of Nigeria. The paper argued in line that the National Open University of
Nigeria has contributed to the social-economic and technological advancement of Nigeria as a
country. The paper identified some of the contributions of the National Open University of Nigeria
including; the development of manpower, increment in enrolment of university education, enrolment
of post-graduate education, ensuring stable university education, development of research literature
and course materials development. In the areas of challenges militating against the operation of the
National Open University, the paper identified poor funding, inadequate staff, shortage of
infrastructure facilities, poor internet services and unstable power supply.
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