Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has urged Nigerians to embrace digital and distance education, describing it as the inevitable future of learning in a fast-changing global environment. He also approved the establishment of a new study centre for the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Aba.
The governor made this known on Tuesday while hosting a delegation from NOUN, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Uduma Orji Uduma, at the Government House in Umuahia.
Otti noted that virtual engagement has become deeply embedded in everyday life, stressing that education must evolve in line with this reality. According to him, the increasing reliance on digital platforms for communication and collaboration highlights the need for wider adoption of open and distance learning systems.
He commended NOUN for pioneering flexible education long before the global shift toward virtual platforms, adding that tools such as Zoom and other online meeting technologies now define how people learn and interact.
Approving the Aba study centre, Otti described the decision as straightforward and necessary. He also directed relevant state authorities to collaborate with NOUN in upgrading its existing facility in Umuahia to enhance its capacity.
To fast-track the Aba project, the governor instructed the Greater Aba Development Authority to identify a temporary site for immediate take-off while plans for a permanent structure are developed.
Otti further praised NOUN’s growing presence in the state, including centres in Asaga, Ohafia, and Umuahia. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to education, revealing that approximately 20 percent of Abia’s annual budget has been allocated to the sector over the past three years. He also disclosed plans to commission three smart schools in the near future.
Earlier, Prof. Uduma explained that the visit aimed to deepen collaboration with the Abia State Government, particularly in expanding access to flexible learning. He noted that NOUN operates about 120 study centres nationwide, with only a few located in the South-East, and appealed for support in securing land for the proposed Aba centre.
He also commended the state government’s development initiatives, describing them as impactful and centred on improving the lives of citizens.
