Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has urged Nigerians to fully embrace digital and distance learning, describing it as the inevitable future of education in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Speaking at Government House while receiving a delegation from the (NOUN) led by its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uduma Orji Uduma, Governor Otti acknowledged the institution’s pioneering role in virtual learning long before it became globally mainstream.

The Governor noted that technological advancement has transformed education beyond physical classrooms, stressing that virtual platforms have now become central to both learning and communication.

“It is interesting that NOUN pioneered virtual learning decades ago when the world had not fully gone digital. Today, we hold meetings across continents—from New York to Singapore—through virtual platforms. That is what learning has become,” Otti said, emphasizing that adapting to digital education is no longer optional.

In a major boost to educational expansion in the state, Governor Otti approved the establishment of a NOUN study centre in Aba. He directed the relevant authorities, including the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), to immediately identify a temporary site to enable quick take-off, while plans for a permanent structure are underway.

Describing the Aba study centre as a necessity, the Governor said the project aligns with his administration’s strong commitment to education and human capital development.

He also instructed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to collaborate with NOUN officials in conducting a feasibility study aimed at upgrading the existing study centre in Umuahia to meet modern standards.

Governor Otti commended the university for its contributions to expanding access to education, particularly through its centres in Asaga Ohafia and Umuahia. He reiterated that his government has consistently prioritized the education sector, revealing that about 20 percent of the state’s annual budget has been allocated to education over the past three years.

The Governor further disclosed that his administration is set to commission three smart schools within the month as part of efforts to modernize the education system in Abia State.

Earlier, the NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uduma Orji Uduma, explained that the delegation’s visit was to seek partnership with the Abia State Government for the establishment of a study centre in Aba and the upgrade of the Umuahia facility.

He described open and distance learning as the future of education in the 21st century, noting that while the university operates over 120 study centres nationwide, only a few are located in the South-East region.

Professor Uduma commended Governor Otti’s developmental strides, stating that his people-oriented projects have continued to attract national attention and admiration.

The visit was attended by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Professor Uche Eme, alongside other top government officials.

Report by OHAFIATV