The South-West Development Commission (SWDC) and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) have agreed on a partnership aimed at significantly expanding access to affordable and flexible tertiary education for residents across Southwest region.
The agreement was reached during high-level discussions between the leadership of both institutions, culminating in the establishment of a joint technical committee that will develop a structured collaboration framework.
The framework will pave way for phased planning while implementation will begin immediately after relevant institutional approvals in line with regulatory and governance requirements.
The proposed partnership seeks to leverage NOUN’s nationally accredited open and distance learning architecture to widen access for admission seekers in the region.
Commenting on the partnership, SWDC’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola said: “Southwest remains Nigeria’s most economically vibrant region; however, access to tertiary education remains uneven, particularly for working professionals, women balancing family and economic responsibilities, youth in semi-urban and rural communities, and individuals unable to secure placement within conventional university systems.
“Under the proposed framework, SWDC will work with NOUN to expand digitally enabled study and examination centres across strategic locations in the region. The initiative will focus on increasing enrollment capacity without the constraints of traditional campus infrastructure, improving affordability and scheduling flexibility, and strengthening pathways for skills certification and lifelong learning.
“Beyond immediate access expansion, the partnership is expected to contribute to the development of a resilient digital learning ecosystem, supported by improved broadband connectivity, renewable energy solutions, and industry-aligned digital skills programs.”
According to him, the initiative aligns with SWDC’s human capital development mandate, stressing that it is designed to strengthen regional competitiveness by enabling significantly larger number of residents to enroll in, and complete tertiary education programmes.
