•Lagos State University main gate
Lagos State University (LASU) management yesterday said only 197 out of a total of 4,095 courses offered across the institution are delivered primarily online.
It said these are specifically large lectures with enrolments exceeding 400 students, reports The Nation.
LASU, in a statement by Deputy Registrar and Coordinator, Centre for Information and Public Relations, Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, faulted a report entitled: “Assessing LASU’s online classes directive,” which it said was “a misleading narrative about the university’s recent decision to transition large-capacity classes to virtual platforms.”
LASU said there was no full shift to online learning.
It said the delivery of 197 courses online was a targeted measure designed to improve the quality of the learning experience for the high-enrolment courses, and “forms part of a strategic shift towards modern, blended pedagogy”.
The statement reads in part: “The vast majority of tutorials, seminars, laboratory practicals, and smaller courses will continue as in-person sessions, and students are expected to be on campus for the core of their academic activities.
“The university’s management regrets the concern caused by the mischaracterisation of the blended learning policy. The directive is a focused effort to manage large classes more effectively, a common challenge for leading universities in Nigeria and to ensure ease of learning.
“The narrative that students are being told to ‘stay at home’ for online classes is factually incorrect and misleading. This policy affects less than five per cent (about 197 courses out of 4095 courses offered) of the University’s total course offerings.
“Students are, and will remain fully engaged in campus life, with access to libraries, laboratories, sporting facilities, medical facilities, and the full spectrum of face-to-face (physical) teaching for the overwhelming majority of their timetabled activities.
“This approach is consistent with practices at other forward-looking international and national universities, which similarly use digital platforms to supplement and enhance the delivery of content for large classes.
“The blended learning policy is fully aligned with the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) drive to integrate e-learning into the fabric of Nigerian higher education.
“To ensure no student is disadvantaged, LASU has made significant investments in support infrastructure, including upgraded campus-wide Wi-Fi, dedicated ICT hubs, and a reliable on-campus power supply to mitigate connectivity issues, among other initiatives.
“The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, hereby reiterates the University’s commitment to transparency. As a University committed to excellence, we are duty-bound to adopt innovative teaching methods that serve our students best.
“This precise data-driven approach for a small subset of our courses is a prudent academic decision, not an administrative shortcut. It allows us to optimise our physical resources while preparing our students for the digital world.
“We encourage our students and parents to seek accurate information through our official channels, and to view this policy not as a retreat from responsibility, but as a bold step toward a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready LASU.”
