During the University of Lagos’ fourth Annual International Week, which had as its topic “Inclusive Digital Transformation and the University Promise,” important players talked about the necessity of improving student information management and digital advancement. Despite obstacles like Nigeria’s Electricity problems and reliance on paper records, the university’s efforts to improve its digital infrastructure—such as high-speed internet and the installation of a Student Information Management System—were highlighted by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola. A number of leaders also contributed to the occasion.
Prof. Leila Mathews of the European Commission highlighted the EU’s assistance for Education in Nigeria and the significance of the Erasmus program in promoting young participation in Europe. Digital integration in Higher Education is crucial, especially in the wake of COVID-19, according to Dr. Chris Maiyaki of the National Universities Commission (NUC). Additional presenters, including the vice chancellors of Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) and Lagos State University of Science and Technology, discussed the advancements their schools have made in digitisation while also addressing issues like financial constraints and access to technology.
Digital transformation has had a significant impact on administration.
In his discussion of JAMB’s sophisticated use of ICT in student admissions, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), emphasised automation as a crucial component of the system’s equity and inclusivity. The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, or Tetfund, highlighted its contribution to the digital transformation of Nigerian higher Education institutions. In Nigerian universities, digital transformation has had a significant impact on administration and instruction, resulting in quantifiable gains in effectiveness, accessibility, and academic quality. The implementation of a Student Information Management System (SIMS) at the University of Lagos, for example, has expedited administrative procedures and decreased the amount of time needed for activities like registration and record-keeping.
Over 56,000 students are impacted each year by the system, which now allows students to register, view results, and apply for transcripts online. Due to this change, processing times for administrative duties have been slashed by as much as 50%, which has improved student satisfaction and reduced delays, particularly for alumni who want to study abroad under the increasingly prevalent “Japa syndrome.” Similar to this, Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) has improved its communication and admissions systems, enabling students to finish these procedures electronically free from human intervention. Through faster admissions processing and easier service access, this system has decreased the number of in-person trips to administrative offices.
This helps institutions become less dependent on physical infrastructure.
As a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, Pan Atlantic University hastened the transition to cloud-based learning platforms, guaranteeing uninterrupted instruction for its 1,200 students. Since then, the university has concentrated on using technology to improve instruction and learning, with online learning environments making classes more accessible. Despite bandwidth constraints, this digital transformation has allowed the university to provide hybrid learning models, giving students greater flexibility in their education. Digital change in Nigerian universities has important wider ramifications. These organisations become more globally competitive when they include digital tools, which enables them to work with partners around the world more successfully.
Technology adoption makes it possible for institutions to participate in global exchange and research collaborations. In the long run, digital tools help institutions become less dependent on physical infrastructure, which lowers expenses associated with administrative, admissions, and record-keeping duties. By digitising these procedures, educational institutions can also more efficiently scale their operations, taking on more students without having to hire as many administrative staff members. Given that top talent in Nigeria is leaving the country in search of better possibilities overseas, this action is very important.
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Additionally, digital tools can help Nigerian institutions retain teachers and students by raising the quality of education. There are still issues, though, namely with financing and obtaining trustworthy data and electricity. Only 44% of Nigerian higher education institutions have fully embraced e-learning, and many still encounter obstacles with regard to Infrastructure and internet accessibility, according to a 2021 report from the National Bureau of Statistics. To ensure that Nigerian universities can continue to develop in the Digital Age and maintain their competitiveness on a global scale, it would be essential to address these issues by making more investments in ICT infrastructure and renewable energy.