The Pro-Chancellor of Miva Open University, Dr Tunji Olowolafe, has called for education reforms that would expand access to higher learning for millions of Nigerians unable to secure admission into conventional universities.

Olowolafe made the call on Saturday at the university’s maiden convocation ceremony held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in Iganmu, Lagos, where he was also formally invested as the institution’s Pro-Chancellor.

In a statement issued by the university’s media unit on Sunday, Olowolafe said Nigeria’s growing population had made it impossible for traditional universities alone to meet the country’s higher education needs.

He said open and distance learning should form a central part of future education policies, arguing that technology-enabled learning offers a practical way to reach qualified applicants who are excluded by limited admission spaces, location, work commitments or other personal circumstances.

The Pro-Chancellor maintained that efforts to widen access to tertiary education should not be mistaken for lowering academic standards.

He said education systems must be structured to accommodate learners in different locations and life situations while preserving quality and academic rigour.

Olowolafe described open and distance learning as an effective response to admission shortages and other structural barriers affecting Nigeria’s education sector.

He linked the use of innovation and technology in education to the ideals of the late Obafemi Awolowo, whose development philosophy placed education at the heart of national progress.

He commended the management and academic staff of Miva Open University for sustaining quality amid the institution’s expansion, saying the ability to combine growth with excellence distinguished globally competitive institutions.

Addressing the graduating students, Olowolafe urged them to make lifelong learning and self-development a priority, noting that success in a changing world depends on the capacity to adapt and acquire new knowledge.

He charged the graduates to represent the university positively by displaying competence, integrity and professionalism in their careers and communities.

Olowolafe also called for stronger national commitment to development, saying Nigeria required educated and disciplined citizens willing to contribute to collective progress.

He said the country’s development challenges were not solely the result of inadequate resources, but were also linked to the need for more effective institutions, organised leadership and shared determination.