ABOUT N4.9 billion would be required by the Federal Government to execute the National Open and Distance Programme. The money, according to a blueprint on the project, would be used to open 18 study centres across the country by September, this year. The centres are to be located in Abuja, Akure, Awka, Bauchi, Benin, Calabar, Enugu and Ibadan. Others would be in Ilorin, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Maiduguri, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Sokoto and Yola, while Lagos would play a dual role of a study centre and production headquarters. The offices of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC) in the cities named as study centres would be renovated and equipped to serve the National Open University. According to the blueprint, the university "will take over the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) educational unit in Lagos and the National Educational Technological Centre in Kaduna". The university would prepare tender documents and invite reputable information communication technology companies to tender for the supply and installation of computers and networking equipment for the production of study materials. For its operations, the university would also sign agreements with Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST), courier companies, television and radio stations for the distribution and broadcasting of course materials. "It will set up financial structures and banking relations for the sale of application forms and management of expected revenue from students and applicants," the plan stated. The plan also envisaged that by the end of September, the university would send out application forms, enrol and register the first set of students and begin full operation. It is also expected to recruit and organise training courses, workshops and seminars for academic staff, course developers, instruction technologists, part-time tutors, study centre managers and other key personnel. The university, also referred to as the National Open and Distance Programme, is designed to teach learners, who are removed in time and space from the teacher. Delivery in the system involves variety of media and large number of learners wherever they may be. The programme is designed for graduates, who desire to update their knowledge and skills in disciplines or courses of their choice for their continuing professional and entrepreneurial development. "It is for those who left school for one reason or the other, but who, having matured, would want to make a re-entry into the knowledge arena. "It is also meant for those who did not avail themselves the opportunity to go to school, but who are still interested in acquiring basic education in view of the goal of education for all," the plan stated. The institution is expected to start with an initial students' enrolment of 100,000, each paying N50,000 yearly. Taken from Nigerian News forum @Nigeriaworld.com
