Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in higher learning institutions presents a podium for academic material accessibility that entails creation, evaluation, communication and general course administration with customizable interfaces. Virtual learning environments are online based platforms which are used to ease the student’s course content access and improving learning ability. Virtual learning environments bear features such as collaborative tools, embedded external recourses, detailed reporting logs, roles and permissions and calendars. However without finding out the factors for the low adoption rates, the effort to implement VLE remains in question. This paper discovers the factors that have brought about the low adoption rates of VLE in higher learning institution. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative case study research approach and a purposive (non-probability) sampling technique where both staff and student respondents were selected from the case study institutions. A survey questionnaire was administered to 22 staff members and 305 students making a total of 327 respondents using Chris Morgan (1999) formula for sample determination. The results indicated power fluctuations, poor internet connections, and luck of management support, slow computers, and skills to access the VLE platforms as the major factors. The research suggests that, institutional readiness assessment, Virtual learning environments implementation framework, implementation policy formulation, training of trainers and improving the infrastructure should be given a high priority if VLE are to be successfully implemented in higher learning institutions.