Olowolafe: Earn a Degree Online Without Quitting Your Job
Dr Tunji Olowolafe, Pro-Chancellor of Miva Open University, says Nigerians should be able to earn a degree online without putting their jobs and livelihoods on hold. He shared this view at the university's 2026 matriculation ceremony in Abuja, where he spoke about how online education can widen access to higher learning.
Imagine working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., caring for your family, and still wanting to earn a university degree. Where would you find the time?
For many Nigerians, that's the problem. They want to study further, but leaving a job to attend university isn't a realistic option. Bills need to be paid. Children need care. Businesses must keep running.
Olowolafe believes online learning can change this. His message is simple: people shouldn't have to choose between earning a living and getting an education.
A Degree Without Walking Away From Work
For some people, going to university means leaving home, moving to another city, and giving up a steady income. That's a difficult choice.
A worker who resigns to study may struggle to pay school fees and cover daily expenses. Someone running a small business could lose customers by stepping away. Parents may also find it hard to balance lectures with childcare and other family duties.
These are real barriers. And they can keep capable people out of higher education for years.
Online learning offers another route. Students can access lessons remotely and, depending on their programme, study around their work schedules. They don't necessarily need to relocate or leave their jobs.
That flexibility matters. Here is how it might work for different people who want to earn a degree online:
- A teacher could work towards another qualification while continuing to teach.
- An office worker might study in the evenings.
- A business owner could use quieter hours to complete assignments.
It won't be effortless. But it may be possible.
Learning While Earning
One of the biggest advantages of online education is that students can continue earning an income while they study.
For many households, that income is not optional. It pays the rent, buys food and covers transport. Giving it up for several years may simply be out of the question.
Online learning can help reduce that pressure. Students may be able to keep their jobs while working towards a degree. They can build their qualifications without putting their entire financial lives on hold.
Still, flexibility has limits. A course won't complete itself.
Students must attend classes, read, submit assignments and prepare for examinations. They also need a reliable internet connection, a suitable device and enough time to study. Anyone who plans to earn a degree online should be honest about the demands of work, school and family life.
The goal isn't to do everything at once. It's to find a workable balance.
Why Learning Shouldn't Stop After Graduation
Olowolafe's message also points to a wider issue: the need for lifelong learning.
A university degree can open doors, but it may not be enough for an entire career. Industries change. Technology moves quickly. Employers need new skills, and workers must find ways to keep up.
Consider someone who graduated ten years ago. The tools and methods used in their field may have changed significantly since then. Further training could help them remain effective or prepare for a new role.
The same applies to entrepreneurs. Learning more about management, finance or technology may help them run their businesses better.
Online education gives people another way to develop these skills. They don't have to wait until retirement or leave work before returning to the classroom.
Learning can continue at every stage of life.
The important thing is to choose a course that serves a clear purpose. Before enrolling, students should consider their career goals, the qualification they need and the time they can realistically commit.
Scholarships Can Make a Difference
Cost remains another concern. Online study may remove some expenses linked to attending a physical campus, but it isn't free. Tuition, internet data, laptops and other learning materials all cost money.
Olowolafe also highlighted the Olowolafe Miva Scholarship, established through a partnership between the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation and Miva Open University.
Scholarships can help students who might otherwise struggle to afford a degree. They can also give learners more room to focus on their studies instead of worrying constantly about fees.
But financial support is only part of the picture.
Students need good teaching, useful learning materials and access to academic support. Universities must maintain proper standards and meet the relevant regulatory requirements. Prospective students should check that an institution and its programme are recognised before paying any fees.
Access matters. So does quality.
The Challenges Are Still There
Online learning is promising, but it won't solve every problem.
Some Nigerians have unreliable electricity or poor internet access. Others cannot afford a laptop or enough data for regular online classes. These difficulties can make studying from home frustrating, especially for students who already have demanding jobs.
Time management is another challenge. After a long day at work, opening a laptop to study may be the last thing someone wants to do.
That's why students need realistic plans. Setting aside specific hours for reading, tracking deadlines and asking for help early can make a difference. Family members and employers may also need to understand the time commitment involved.
Universities, meanwhile, must make their learning platforms accessible and provide support when students run into trouble.
Online learning offers flexibility. It still requires discipline.
What This Could Mean for Nigeria
More flexible access to higher education could benefit workers, businesses and the wider economy.
A professional who gains new skills may perform better at work. An entrepreneur may find better ways to manage a business. Someone who has been unable to attend a traditional university may finally get the chance to earn a degree online.
Those benefits can extend beyond the individual. Better-trained workers can help organisations improve their services, while skilled entrepreneurs can contribute to business growth and job creation.
But results will depend on more than putting lectures online. Students need reliable access, affordable fees and qualifications that employers and professional bodies respect.
Olowolafe's argument is therefore about more than convenience. It's about giving people another chance to learn and improve their prospects without sacrificing the income they depend on.
A Practical Way Forward
For many Nigerians, the choice between work and education has never been easy. Online learning may offer a way around it.
People can continue earning, meet family responsibilities and work towards a qualification at the same time. It takes planning and commitment, but they no longer have to assume that returning to school means leaving everything else behind.
That's the opportunity.
If online universities can provide quality education at an affordable cost, more Nigerians may be able to pursue their ambitions while keeping their livelihoods intact.
