Optimizing E-Learning in Nigerian Universities for Sustainable Development

Abstract

A dialectical nexus exists between education and development. With Nigeria’s paradoxical ashamedly poverty and underdevelopment profile amidst abundant potential wealth, effective educational service delivery especially at the higher education level which is critical to human and national development is imperative. Thus, education in the 21^st century global knowledge economy requires a paradigm shift in the delivery system to match the emergent new knowledge, attitudes, skills and technologies. Since curriculum is a vehicle for attainment of educational goals and methods of delivery are a component of the curriculum, there is need for employment of effective delivery systems which will produce functional citizens locally relevant and globally competent. E-learning which means electronic learning is an ICTs – driven new face of education service delivery superior to the traditional brick wall classroom learning. But there are challenges and gaps for an effective e-learning in the universities. This paper, therefore, using a library research method, attempts to demystify all this and articulates twelve nuggets strategies to optimize e-learning in Nigerian universities for Nigeria’s sustainable development and global competitiveness.