By Stellamaries Amuwa
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Ishaya Tanko, has stated some of the challenges facing ICT in Nigerian tertiary institutions despite the recognized role and importance it plays in transforming education.
Prof. Ishaya Tanko made this known during a 2-day annual conference of Committee of Directors of ICT of Nigerian Tertiary Institutions (COMDICT-NTI) which held in Abuja with the theme: Accerating Digital Transformation in Nigerian Tertiary Education Through Strategic ICT Leadership.
Speaking during his keynote address, on “Transformative ICT Leadership for Sustainable Tertiary Education in Nigeria Prof. Tanko noted that in developed countries, universities are leveraging data analytics, cloud computing, e-learning platforms, and smart infrastructure to improve teaching, learning, and governance, and as such, Nigeria must not be left behind. “Higher education is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by technological advances, globalization, and evolving student expectations which are bound to harvest massive dividends for the Nigerian economy if seriously utilized.
“This transformation allows for a shift from traditional lecture-based learning to more dynamic and engaging methods, such as online courses and virtual classrooms. Transformative ICT leadership is crucial for sustainable tertiary education in Nigeria, enabling a shift from traditional teaching methods to modern, technology-driven approaches, he said”.
Earlier, during his welcome address, the Chairman, Committee of Directors of ICT of Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, Daniel Inusa Yakmut emphasized that the conference is a clarion call for strategic leadership which is armed with concrete strategies to accelerate change in their individual institutions and collectively in the higher education landscape of Nigeria.
He said: “Networking is the heartbeat of this conference. Let us forge connections not just as colleagues, but as allies. The partnerships we will build here will catalytze initiatives that transcend individual institutions, creating a unified ecosystem of innovation.
“While we have made strides in adopting ICT for virtual classrooms, digital libraries, and e-administration systems, significant gaps still persist. We are faced with challenges like inconsistent power supply, limited broadband access, funding constraints, and resistance to change which hinders progress.
“Yet, within these challenges lie unparalleled opportunities. Therefore, in an era where technology evolves at breakneck speed, our role as strategic leaders has never been more critical. Digital Transformation is not merely about adopting tools, it is about reimagining education through a lens of innovation, equity, and sustainability to foster excellence in our institutions.”
