Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja, has set a target of enrolling at least 10,000 students in its Open and Distance Learning programmes, up from the roughly 4,000 currently enrolled, as part of a new technology partnership designed to expand access to higher education.

Director of the Centre for Distance Learning and Continuing Education, Professor Uche Anaduaka, disclosed the target in Lagos at the signing of a partnership agreement between the University and technology firm Edutech Global. She explained that the deal would provide the institution with a learning management system, an online examination platform, remote proctoring technology, and virtual classroom infrastructure, enabling students to study and sit examinations from any location.

"Our target is to grow gradually to 10,000 students, then 20,000 and even 30,000 as we continue to expand and attract learners from Nigeria and other parts of the world," Anaduaka stated.

The University currently runs five ODL accredited undergraduate programmes and six weekend part time programmes, with plans to introduce about 10 postgraduate programmes and expand undergraduate offerings as more courses gain National Universities Commission accreditation.

Chief Executive Officer of Venture Garden Group, Edutech's parent company, Bunmi Akinyemiju, explained that the partnership covers digital infrastructure, content digitisation, virtual learning platforms, student support services, and learner recruitment, while the University retains ownership of its curriculum, lecturers, and certificates. He noted that discussions are ongoing with financial institutions regarding student loan arrangements.

Cofounder and Chief Technology Officer of Edutech Global, Olufemi Sonubi, revealed that the firm has implemented similar projects at institutions including Ahmadu Bello University, Babcock University, Hillside University of Science and Technology, and Corona College of Education, pointing to Ahmadu Bello University's Distance Learning Centre, which he said now has over 50,000 active learners online. He added that Edutech has adopted an offline first learning model to reduce students' dependence on continuous internet access, while confirming the firm operates strictly as a technology partner, with the University remaining responsible for admissions, curriculum delivery, and certification.