This paper is focused on creativity and innovation in open and distance education as a paradigm for human development in the twenty first century for nation-building in Nigeria. The paper looks at the open/distance education programme and its unconventional method of delivery in educating the educationally less privileged. The paper is of the opinion that given the fact that despite its method of delivery, the majority of the Nigerian populace is still behind the iron curtain of illiteracy. In Nigeria, there are lots of challenges to nation-building and national integration which need to be surmounted. One such problem is human development for a quality population. The paper is of the opinion that if the Nigerian economy must be transformed to meet the global challenge in this 21st century, she must invest in her human capital and this must take place not only in the formal and informal way of education but must be backed with innovations and creativity that makes learning very interesting and as fun, thereby making a greater percentage of the population to acquire numeracy in order to improve their contribution to the Nigerian economy for nation-building in this 21st century.