Digital learning is emerging as a transformative force in Nigerian education, fundamentally reshaping how learners acquire knowledge and skills. As the nation grapples with challenges such as limited access to quality educational resources and traditional teaching methods, online learning platforms are bridging gaps and providing unprecedented opportunities for learners across the country.
Digital education enhances accessibility and fosters a more engaging and personalised learning experience. This shift empowers educators and learners alike to embrace innovative approaches that prepare them for the demands of a globalised world. As Nigeria stands on the brink of an educational revolution, the rise of digital learning promises to redefine the landscape of learning and equip future generations with the tools they need to succeed.
One crucial factor for the growth of any nation is education. Regrettably, Nigeria’s conventional learning system faces problems such as overcrowded classrooms/halls, unqualified tutors, and inadequate study materials, particularly in remote regions. Because of these issues, Nigeria has struggled to provide quality education to its citizens.
Digital learning could revolutionise education in Nigeria, and it has emerged as an innovative fix. Essentially, it involves using electronic resources such as computers, smartphones, and tablets to improve the learning experience and make it more efficient for all individuals. The significance of this novel methodology cannot be overemphasised, especially in contemporary Nigerian society.
Digital learning has had an immense effect on Nigeria’s educational system over the years. This includes its impact on training methodology, as it helps tutors present content more dynamically while enabling learners to study more interactively. With more people embracing technology, access to digital study materials can happen within seconds. With digital learning, the learning gap is narrowed, and learners are availed of new opportunities for growth and development, from online courses to interactive learning tools. “The power of digital learning lies in its ability to provide personalised education for each learner, at scale.” — Richard Culatta.
The Transformative Power of Digital Learning
With the growing reliance on technology, education has transcended traditional classrooms, offering a flexible, inclusive, and personalised approach to learning. This shift empowers individuals to engage with content at their own pace, fostering creativity and innovation across various sectors.
Listed below are four (4) engaging ways that Digital Learning can transform Education in Nigeria;
Better Access to Learning: Digital learning has significant advantages because it can close the gap in learning access. A study by UNESCO in 2020 found that over 10 million children are not attending schools in Nigeria, the highest number globally. This problem of illiteracy can be solved through digital learning platforms, where learners from remote and marginalised communities can access knowledge easily.
An internet connection allows learners to visit online courses, virtual classrooms, and digital learning resources from anywhere. As a result, there will be no need for physical infrastructure or transportation difficulties for learners, thus making it easier for more Nigerians who have challenges accessing quality education.
Personalised Learning Experiences: Traditional classroom settings make it hard to meet the individual learning needs of every learner. Immersing in digital learning, on the contrary, brings about a unique learning experience based on each learner’s speed, strengths and weaknesses. Provided by adaptive learning technologies, these platforms enable assessing the progress of a learner and creating simplified content and methods of teaching to meet their specific needs. This ensures that every learner is included and cared for as desired.
According to a 2019 study by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), learners who undertook online learning programs improved their performance levels and became more interested compared to others where lessons were taught using old-school methods.
Cost-Effectiveness: It has always been difficult to offer quality education in Nigeria due to few resources and insufficient funds, but with the help of digital learning, these problems can be solved. This is because there is no need for physical infrastructure such as classrooms and the cost of logistics; hence, it is cheaper than other methods. Additionally, digital educational resources are quickly transferable and reusable at a low price, making them available to everyone, including the poor learner and institutions.
A segment in the aforementioned World Bank report indicates that if Nigeria were to invest in creating digital programs, it could save billions of naira annually and consequently divert the extra funding to other areas of learning.
Continuous Professional Development for Instructors: Any learning system’s effectiveness relies primarily on its instructors’ competence. However, unlike many other nations, instructors in Nigeria rely heavily on outdated books that have no actual value in today’s world. Through digital learning platforms, however, instructors have many opportunities to grow professionally on an ongoing basis, ultimately making them better placed to enhance their skills, keep themselves updated about new learning approaches or methodologies available, and use different materials for learning purposes.
Online programs, live webinars, and digital communities aim to enhance the quality of learning and achievements of Nigerian learners through instructor training and sharing experiences with experts worldwide.
Success Stories of Digital Learning Initiatives
Numerous obstacles affect the efficacy of digital learning in Nigeria: poor internet service, insufficient digital devices, and a general lack of knowledge of digital skills by students and teachers. Despite that, there are a few stories that illustrate how the wall can be climbed.
For example, the Lagos State Government EKOEXCEL program has enhanced teaching within more than 1000 primary schools by the use of tablets to equip teachers with skills to access digital content. The results have been remarkable especially in learning areas that are not privileged equipped. Teachers get lessons in real time, students immerse themselves in active content, and the ever-widening educational divide narrows.
Likewise, Bridge International Academies has provided an education system that is based on technology at a low cost to rural areas and regions with a great economic deficit in Nigeria. They assist students with low-cost smartphones and data, enabling them to take quality digital lessons even after attending school. It also assists in coping with teachers with the technology, which enhances the teaching standards.
Moreover, ScholarX, an indigenous edtech startup, developed mobile solutions that enable Nigerian students to seek scholarships and economical online courses, thereby easing the burden of education.
All these success stories indicate that in the presence of appropriate funding and collective efforts, unfriendly issues associated with digital learning will cease to exist, thus improving teaching and learning in Nigeria.
Embracing the Future of Digital Learning in Nigeria
The growth of the scope of digital learning within the sphere of education in Nigeria has equally led to the increased optimism associated with a paradigm shift in the vaguely understood system of education. Nonetheless, several key factors have limited the full realisation of these upside expectations. Some of the pertinent issues include poor infrastructure in terms of erratic or insufficient power supply, poor access to the internet, a limited number of computing devices for learners and teachers, and a sheer lack of basic computer knowledge among both learners and teachers.
Dealing with these problems will be quite complex. There is a need for government agencies, educational institutions and the private sector to join hands with international bodies in formulating a comprehensive e-learning plan. Such assurances may offer the required material, personnel, as well as planning to facilitate modern reforms in Nigeria’s education and increase in widening access to learning through technology for improvement of the education system.
Conclusion
Digital learning in Nigeria is not just a trend but a transformative force reshaping the educational landscape and business environment. The potential of digital technologies to enhance performance and foster personal growth cannot be overstated.
At Phillips Consulting (pcl.), we are committed to harnessing these advancements to empower individuals and organisations alike, guiding them to achieve world-class standards. Our innovative digital solutions are designed to transcend traditional learning barriers, opening doors to new opportunities across Nigeria and Africa.
Join us on this transformative journey. Embrace the future of education and business with pcl. as your partner in innovation. Together, we can elevate learning, drive growth, and create a brighter, more connected future.
As Dan Schawbel poignantly states, “The future of education is digital, and the future of digital is education.” Let us champion this future together.
Written by:
David Uwadiale
Digital Learning Designer and Animator
References:
UNESCO. (2020). Out-of-School Children and Youth in Nigeria. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000374560
Commonwealth of Learning. (2019). Digital Learning in Nigeria: A Study of the Effectiveness and Impact. https://www.col.org/resources/digital-learning-nigeria-study-effectiveness-and-impact
World Bank. (2020). Leveraging Digital Technologies for Education in Nigeria. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/nigeria/publication/leveraging-digital-technologies-for-education-in-nigeria