Matters and Strategies of Educational Policies in Open and Distance Learning Mode of Education: An assessment of National Open University of Nigeria NOUN

Background: This paper examines the evolution and stages of Nigeria’s National Policy on Education (NPE), emphasizing its role in promoting education as a tool for human socialization, skill development, and value transmission across generations.

Method: The study reviews the NPE as a framework for achieving sustainable educational system development in Nigeria, analyzing its historical focus on conventional education and its challenges in addressing sectoral deficiencies.

Findings/Results: The paper identifies significant challenges in the formulation and implementation of educational policies, highlighting their limited success in resolving persistent educational issues. It also underscores the NPE’s innovative strategies, which led to the establishment of the National Open University of Nigeria as a dedicated Open and Distance Learning institution.

Implications: The NPE serves as a critical channel for fostering sustainable educational development, offering guidelines that support innovative educational models like open and distance learning.

Conclusion: The National Policy on Education provides a foundation for sustainable educational growth in Nigeria by introducing innovative strategies that address educational challenges and promote inclusive learning systems.

Recommendations: Policymakers should address implementation challenges by refining strategies and ensuring adequate resources to support innovative educational models, such as open and distance learning, for broader impact