Directors of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) from universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria have raised concerns over poor infrastructure, funding constraints, and resistance to change, describing them as major obstacles slowing the digital transformation of higher education in the country.
The concerns were raised during the 2025 Annual Conference of the Committee of Directors of ICT of Nigerian Tertiary Institutions (COMDICT-NTI), held in Abuja on Monday. The conference, themed “Accelerating Digital Transformation in Nigerian Tertiary Education through Strategic ICT Leadership”, brought together ICT leaders, government officials, and industry experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities in digital education.
Chairman of COMDICT-NTI, Daniel Yakmut, while addressing participants, acknowledged that although Nigerian institutions have started adopting ICT in areas like virtual classrooms, digital libraries, and e-administration systems, there are still “significant gaps” in achieving full digital integration.
“We are faced with challenges like inconsistent power supply, limited broadband access, funding constraints, and resistance to change, which hinders progress,” Yakmut said. He added that meaningful digital transformation in Nigerian tertiary education would require collaborative leadership, innovation, and a shared commitment to overcoming institutional and systemic barriers.
Yakmut urged ICT directors to take full advantage of the panel discussions and workshops during the conference to exchange ideas, learn from best practices, and design workable roadmaps to drive change in their respective institutions.
Delivering the keynote address, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, stressed the importance of transformative ICT leadership, noting that Nigeria must not fall behind in the global transition to data-driven campuses. He said, “Transformative ICT leadership is crucial for sustainable tertiary education in Nigeria, enabling a shift from traditional teaching methods to modern, technology-driven approaches.”
Professor Ishaya noted that the COVID-19 pandemic served as a major turning point, exposing digital weaknesses and forcing many institutions to rethink their approach to education delivery. He highlighted the increasing reliance on technology in higher education — from AI-powered administrative systems to online learning platforms — and warned that ICT should no longer be treated as a support service, but as a strategic driver of education.
“Digital literacy should be seen as a foundational competency in 21st-century education,” he said, advocating for institutional support, policy innovation, and stronger partnerships with technology companies and international bodies.
He urged ICT directors to go beyond their technical roles and become strategic leaders who can influence institutional policies, build innovation-driven teams, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across campuses.
The conference served as a platform for directors to discuss pressing issues such as funding models, broadband penetration, digital skills gaps, and the urgent need for inclusive, scalable, and sustainable ICT infrastructure in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
