*Qaribu Yahaya Nasidi, Adama Adamu, Bishir Bala, Ummukulthum Ismail

Abstract: This study investigates the effect of integrating WhatsApp into open, distance, and e-learning (ODeL) at Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria, during the 2023/2024 academic session. The research adopted a survey design involving 240 distance learning students and e-tutors. The study examined engagement levels, communication effectiveness, and learning outcomes resulting from WhatsApp integration. Findings reveal that WhatsApp significantly improved communication, collaboration, and student engagement, ultimately enhancing learning outcomes and motivation. By contextualising the study within Nigeria, this research highlights the platform’s practical relevance for addressing infrastructural challenges and improving the quality of distance education in similar resource-constrained settings. These findings provide empirical evidence for the pedagogical value of WhatsApp in ODeL environments.

Keywords: WhatsApp, open, distance and e-learning, social media