As the Regional Training and Research Institute for Distance and Open Learning (RETRIDOL) embarks on its commemoration of two decades of impactful existence, a distinguished 3-member delegation paid a courteous visit to Prof. Olufemi Peters, the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). This visit marks the commencement of a series of events, including a 2-day guest lecture and round-table discussion.

At the helm of the delegation stood the esteemed Emeritus Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede, former Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, accompanied by Prof. Christine Ofulue, Director of RETRIDOL. This visit signifies the initiation of an array of celebratory activities, in collaboration with the African Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) at NOUN.

Scheduled for August 7 and 8, the milestone event will unfold at the 3rd floor of the Gabriel Afolabi Ojo Central Library, NOUN headquarters, each day commencing at 9:30 AM sharp. The theme of this celebratory occasion, "Re-imagining Education Futures at the Intersection of Technology, Education, and Design," will be graced by Prof. Som Naidu, Principal Associate of Technology, Education and Design in Melbourne, Australia, serving as the guest speaker for the first day.

The following day's discussion, themed "The Importance of Lifelong Learning in Social Policies" with a focus on healthcare, will feature Prof. Carlos A. Pereira de Oliveira from the State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the guest speaker.

Eminent personalities will engage in these enlightening conversations. Tuesday, August 6, 2023, will see Emeritus Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede and Prof. Mercy Ogunsola-Bandele of NOUN joining as discussants, with Prof. Francis Egbokhare of the University of Ibadan moderating.

For the August 9, 2023 event, Professor Shehu Usman Adamu, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at NOUN, and Prof. Helen Kwanashie of NOUN will take on the role of discussants, guided by the astute moderation of Emeritus Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede.

Prof. Christine Ofulue, Director of RETRIDOL, elucidated that the courtesy visit and ensuing events are a testament to RETRIDOL's two-decade collaboration between NOUN and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Canada—an intergovernmental agency representing the Commonwealth Heads of Government, of which Ghana and Nigeria are members.

Prof. Peters, the NOUN Vice-Chancellor, expressed a warm welcome to the delegation, commending RETRIDOL's noteworthy contributions over the years. He lauded the institute's impact and underscored NOUN's recognition across West Africa.

RETRIDOL's core mandate revolves around enhancing the capabilities of higher education institutions in the realm of Open and Distance Learning (ODL). By fostering regional partnerships, conducting training activities, academic programs, and research, RETRIDOL has consistently demonstrated its commitment to advancing ODL in the West African sub-region and beyond.

The institute's reach extends to countries including Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Togo, and Gabon. As the celebrations unfold, RETRIDOL's dedication to enhancing education and promoting collaboration stands as a testament to its two-decade legacy.