Virtual Teaching, Learning and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Prospects

Education, irrespective of the way it is acquired, underlies the development of all nations of the world. Online strategies of acquiring education, such as virtual or e-learning, which are the twenty-first Century approaches to education delivery; are particularly important in countries bedeviled with staff union strikes, like Nigeria. Depending on the cause(s) of the strikes, learning can continue online between tutors and students. Virtual teaching and learning take place in virtual classrooms, where tutors and students may not face one another. Teaching and learning, including tests, assignments and other classroom activities, are conducted online, where computer and internet facilities are available. This is practised in developed countries and can also be practiced in developing countries like Nigeria, provided education can be well funded, corruption reduced and virtual classrooms can be established. If Nigeria is to participate in virtual teaching and learning, education must be funded generously, develop the political will to embark on virtual education programmes, provide computers and internet services all over the country and train teachers that will handle the programme adequately. Unless and until the steps listed above are taken, it may be difficult, if not impossible, to embark on virtual teaching and learning in Nigeria.