Rector Sani Usman of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi told staff on Tuesday that the institution aspires to be the premier centre of technological education in Nigeria’s North‑East and to rank among the country’s top polytechnics, as participants gathered for a one‑day capacity‑building workshop on Open, Distance and Flexible E‑Learning (ODFeL).
Represented by his deputy, Dr Usman Yusuf Dutse, the rector emphasized that rapid advances in technology have reshaped teaching, allowing learning to occur beyond the confines of a traditional classroom and fixed timetable. He remarked, "Advances in technology have transformed education, making learning possible beyond the traditional classroom and fixed timetable." He also noted that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), is urging institutions to adopt ODFeL to widen access to quality technical education and satisfy the rising demand for skilled manpower.
What is ODFeL?
Open, Distance and Flexible E‑Learning (ODFeL) is an educational approach that blends online resources, interactive materials, and flexible scheduling to deliver instruction to learners who cannot attend regular face‑to‑face classes. The system is designed to serve individuals facing geographical, familial, or occupational constraints, such as residents of remote villages or civil servants seeking further qualifications.
The rector explained that ODFeL offers inclusive learning opportunities, enabling students to acquire knowledge and skills irrespective of their location or personal circumstances. He warned that merely uploading lecture notes as PDFs or holding video‑conference sessions does not constitute a comprehensive e‑learning environment.
According to Usman, an effective ODFeL framework must include well‑designed interactive content, digital instructional resources, virtual laboratories where appropriate, robust learner‑support services, continuous assessment, and stringent quality‑assurance mechanisms. He stressed that graduates emerging from such a system should possess knowledge, skills, and competencies that match those of peers trained through conventional methods, in line with NBTE standards.
The workshop was organised to deepen staff understanding of ODFeL and equip them with the expertise needed to develop practical online learning processes and support structures that ensure students acquire the required practical skills and competencies.
Earlier in the session, Director of Programme Dr Auwal Abdullahi described the event as a milestone in the polytechnic’s quest to establish a sustainable, accessible, and quality‑assured open and distance learning system. He added that ODFeL presents a valuable avenue to broaden educational access, especially for working professionals and other learners unable to fully participate in traditional face‑to‑face programmes.
Overall, the gathering underscored the polytechnic’s commitment to modernising its delivery methods while maintaining the rigorous standards expected of technical institutions in Nigeria.