History

Following the Report of the Ashby Commission on Post-School Certificate and Higher Education in Nigeria and the subsequent Report of the Advisory Commission of UNESCO for its establishment, the University of Lagos, (UNILAG), was finally established by an Act of the Federal Parliament in April 1962.

A primary objective of the University at its inception was the preparation of professionals for the post-independent manpower needs of the country. Due to its unique and cosmopolitan environment, the University was also required to provide facilities for part-time studies in such fields as Business Studies, Accounting, Law and Education, through Correspondence and Distance Learning techniques.

This was the genesis of the Correspondence and Open Studies Unit (COSU) and by implication that of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI).

GENESIS AND DEVELOPMENT PHASES OF THE DISTANCE LEARNING INSTITUTE

The genesis of Distance Education in the University of Lagos coincides with the founding of the University itself in 1962. Part of the primary objective of the University at inception and as enunciated in the Ashby Commission, was: the provision of facilities for part-time studies in such fields as Business Studies, Accounting, Law and Education through Correspondence and Distance Learning techniques.

This then was the genesis of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), the fact that it had gone through different cognomens notwithstanding. It was in actualization of this objective that a Unit, the Correspondence and Open Studies Unit (COSU), was established in 1973. COSU in turn was to transform, a decade later in 1983, into the Correspondence and Open Studies Institute (COSIT), with the granting of the latter some measure of autonomy and enhanced scope of operations.

Consistent with global advances in Open Studies and in particular the Distance Learning mode of study, the Senate of the University in 1997, while re-affirming the enhanced status and autonomy of COSIT, effected some re-structuring and streamlining in the general modus operandi of the Institute. These various changes were, among others, aimed at effecting the necessary streamlining and restructuring towards achieving the pure Distance Learning mode of education delivery in all its ramifications.

In keeping therefore with these various re-structuring measures, and to reflect the Distance Learning philosophy, the name COSIT had to be changed to DLI (The Distance Learning Institute). DLI as now constituted with enhanced status as that of a College in the University, has its own Management Board and an Academic Board. It is empowered to formulate its own policies, employ its own staff and is responsible for academic programmes, examinations and supervising its day-to-day affairs and generating funds for its running cost.

The Institute has been known as the Distance Learning Institute, DLI, since December 1997. It was established during the 1973/74 session as a Unit of the Continuing Education Centre (CEC). It became autonomous in 1980 and was upgraded as an Institute in 1983 with its own Board of Studies empowered to formulate policies and supervise its own day-to-day affairs.

In 1997, Senate reaffirmed the autonomous status of the Institute following a reorganization exercise in the University. The Institute is being restructured such that the frequency of study centre meetings, for example, would be reduced essentially to tutorials and assignments at collation centres, providing opportunities for students’ informal group study meetings to complement their studies on an individual basis. The Institute provides support learning materials such as course texts, audio and video DVD/VCD, online and offline interaction as well as computer learning aids and academic counseling. In effect, the existing face-to-face mode of interaction with lecturers will be de-emphasized as students will be expected to engage in self-directed study with the aid of multi-media and e-Learning technologies.

The Institute is managed by a Board which employs all staff of the Institute, while the Academic Board of the Institute is responsible for academic programmes, examination results and related issues.