Abstract

This article looks at the benefits of Distance Education (DE) or Open Learning Systems as the means of providing
education that meets the growing demand for education on the account of the financial concerns and changing
priorities. The historical development of communication methods is one of the factors that shaped the education
sector considerably and now we have the open learning systems as a popular way of. The aim of the establishment
of DE as highlighted by scholars is to create another parallel system which can be integrated with formal
education. Other objectives include promoting flexibility, constructing an egalitarian society, facilitating in-service
and lifelong education and utilizing communication technology for wider outreach. ICTs hold the key to global
educational initiatives, providing an environment of collaboration and disseminating ideas in the most effective
manner. Although ICTs belong to one of the most transformative technologies, Nigeria is faced with challenges of
integration of ICTs, among them deficiencies in ICT infrastructure. Distance education has proved to be successful
for the purpose of widening educational chances but Nigeria faces problems like low ICT penetration, erratic
power supply, and meagre economy. It is noted that ICTs play a critical role in the development of distance
education in Nigeria and that this research stresses the need for collaboration among all relevant stakeholders—
government, private companies, and international organizations—to enhance ICT infrastructure, implement
international cooperation frameworks, and integrate ICT literacy and use into academic courses.
Keywords: Distance Education (DE), Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), OLS, Education
Issues, Flexibility in Education, ICT Infrastructure, and Inclusive Learning