Education Without Borders: Gov. Alex Otti Backs Digital Learning, Approves NOUN Study Centre for Aba
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has thrown his weight behind digital and distance learning, declaring it “the future of education in a rapidly evolving world” while approving the establishment of a National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, study centre in Aba. The announcement was made on Tuesday when he received a delegation from NOUN led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Uduma Orji Uduma at the Government House, Umuahia.
Otti said the global shift to virtual learning is no longer a matter of choice but a necessity, citing how technology has erased geographical barriers in communication and knowledge sharing. “It is interesting that NOUN pioneered this effort decades ago when the world had not gone virtual. But today, I sit here and hold meetings with people in New York and Singapore,” he said. “Distance, Open, Virtual, Zoom, Google Meet, and all the platforms for distance learning have become the order of the day. So, we have no choice but to embrace it.”
The governor immediately gave the green light for the Aba centre, describing the request as “a no-brainer.” He also directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to work with NOUN’s team to upgrade the existing Umuahia study centre to meet modern standards. “On your request to support in upgrading the place, let’s have a look and see how we can support them,” Otti stated, signaling his administration’s readiness to strengthen Abia’s open learning infrastructure.
Otti framed the initiative as part of his government’s broader commitment to democratizing access to quality education. Abia currently allocates 20 per cent of its over ₦700 billion annual budget to the education sector and runs a policy of free education for all children to eliminate financial barriers. He noted that distance learning complements this vision by reaching learners who cannot attend conventional universities due to work, location, or other circumstances.
The NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma, welcomed the governor’s support, reiterating that the university’s mandate is to remove barriers of geography, age, employment status, and gender. He highlighted the growing influx of young learners into the Open and Distance Learning, ODL, system, describing it as an evolution rather than a departure from NOUN’s mission. Uduma also applauded Otti’s investment in education, saying it aligns with NOUN’s goal of expanding access without compromising academic quality.
With over two million Nigerians sitting for UTME annually but only a fraction securing admission into conventional universities, Otti said institutions like NOUN play an invaluable role in bridging the gap. The Aba study centre is expected to serve thousands of residents in Abia’s commercial hub, offering flexible, cost-effective, and technology-driven education that aligns with the demands of the 21st-century workforce.