Synchronous and asynchronous e-learning are two popular e-learning modes that are commonly used in distant learning education. The study investigates how synchronous and asynchronous e-learning affect the academic performance of students. A questionnaire was used to collect data for this study from some students of the National Open University of Nigeria. The findings showed that students' attitude to synchronous and asynchronous e-learning affect their academic performance. The results demonstrated that only 60% of the respondents understand what asynchronous and synchronous e-learning means. Also, only 55% of the respondents believed that asynchronous and synchronous e-learning mode has a positive impact on their academic performance. Moreover, only 52% of the respondents are of the opinion that the curriculum in use at National Open University needs to be updated to increase the impact of the e-learning mode on the learners.