The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is helping Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) and other institutions in Nigeria in developing an open educational resources (OER) policy.

A  workshop held recently brought together approximately 60 educators, administrators and policymakers to discuss the need for validating OER policy and how it can improve and benefit education at all levels in Nigeria.

In his opening remarks, the Director of LAUTECH’s Open and Distance Learning Centre, Professor Oladiran Tayo Arulogun, remarked that adopting OER is crucial to ensuring every learner has equitable and inexpensive access to quality education.

Utilising COL’s OER template, stakeholders were able to produce a draft of an institutional OER policy document by the end of the workshop. Professor Jane-Frances Agbu, COL Adviser: Higher Education commented, “COL remains committed to supporting the implementation of OER, both at the national and institutional levels. We congratulate the management and staff of LAUTECH for their determination to champion OER.”

Mr Sunkanmi Adeoye, a learner support staff member, said, “Attending the OER workshop was an eye-opening experience for me. I learned how OER could increase my visibility and reputation as an educator and how cost-effective it is…the group work provided a platform to brainstorm, exchange ideas and learn from others. It was an enriching and meaningful experience.”

OER presents many opportunities to address the need for more access to high-quality educational materials, particularly in developing nations. It also ensures that students have access to current and relevant learning materials, which can eventually result in higher educational outcomes.