EXPLORING THE POTENTIALS OF E-LEARNING AND THE ROLE OF LIBRARIES IN NIGERIAN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING

Abstract

The study explores the potentials of e-learning in Nigerian educational system and the role of
libraries towards achieving these potentials. Libraries are major vehicle through which higher
institutions of learning can harness the potentials of e-Learning. For institutions of higher
learnings in Nigeria to improve her e-readiness, facilitate innovative use of technology and embed
technology usage in her curriculum, the library is key. The paper posit that Nigeria still experience
a lag in the implementation of its IT policy for education, which constitute a major challenge
facing access to ICT facilities in most Nigerian institutions. Despite the potentials of ICTs in
education, higher institutions of learning in Nigeria are yet to extensively adopt them for teaching,
research and learning. The paper concludes that efforts made towards integration of ICTs into the
education system in Nigeria have not had much impact due to problems such as poor policy;
project implementation strategies and poor information infrastructure. Substantial budget for
education and libraries as well as provision of ICT infrastructure are some of the measures
recommended in the paper