Open Education Must Combine Accessibility With Academic Excellence, Says Miva Pro-Chancellor

The need to strike a balance between access to education and the delivery of quality learning has been emphasised.

The Pro-Chancellor of Miva Open University, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, made this known in a speech delivered at the institution’s maiden convocation ceremony.

He underscored the importance of leveraging open and distance learning to expand access to quality higher education in Nigeria and beyond.

The event, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, Iganmu, Lagos, also featured Olowolafe’s investiture as Pro-Chancellor of the university.

Describing Miva as a transformative solution to the barriers preventing millions of aspiring learners from accessing higher education, Olowolafe noted that open and distance learning institutions have often been unfairly perceived as alternatives for candidates unable to secure admission into conventional tertiary institutions.

He maintained that well-structured open learning platforms can bridge educational gaps and provide seamless access to tertiary education for learners irrespective of their location.

The development advocate urged modern institutions to ensure that expanding access and increasing enrolment do not come at the expense of academic standards. He called for continuous innovation and robust quality assurance mechanisms to sustain excellence in the sector.

Olowolafe commended Miva Open University for successfully combining educational expansion with academic excellence, noting that maintaining quality amid rising enrolment remains a significant challenge for higher institutions worldwide.

“It is easy to deliver excellent education to a limited number of students. The real test is preserving that quality as the population of learners continues to increase. Miva has shown commendable commitment in this regard,” he said.

He also paid tribute to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former Premier of the Western Region, for his pioneering efforts in promoting education and enlightenment, particularly through the establishment of Africa’s first television station, which broadened access to information and learning.

Drawing a comparison with Awolowo’s vision, Olowolafe said Miva is harnessing modern technology to democratise education and connect learners with quality academic opportunities regardless of geographical barriers.

Olowolafe charged the university’s management and governing structures to remain steadfast in protecting the integrity of the institution’s academic standards, stressing that accessibility and excellence must remain complementary objectives.

“As Pro-Chancellor, together with my colleagues on the Governing Council, we will continue to ensure that this institution remains committed to excellence. We do not have to choose between accessibility and quality, and we will not,” he said.

Expressing gratitude for the confidence reposed in him, the new Pro-Chancellor pledged to contribute meaningfully to the institution’s progress and help advance its vision of transforming educational delivery.

In his charge to the graduating students, he encouraged them to embrace lifelong learning, uphold excellence in their endeavours and deploy the knowledge acquired during their studies in ways that positively impact society.