Experts Ask African Governments to Invest More in Digital University Education

Education experts have urged African governments to allocate more funds for enhancing digital systems in universities. They stated that outdated methods and inadequate infrastructure are hindering progress in higher education across the continent. This call for increased investment was made during the Digital Higher Education Africa (DHEA) Summit 2025, held at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. The 2-day meeting drew a host of dignitaries, including government leaders, technology experts, university heads, and development partners, to discuss ways to enhance digital education in Africa.

Speaking at the event, Opeyemi Ibukun, CEO of Argyle IT & Education, said the time for repeating old problems is over. He stressed the need for sustainable solutions that improve both access and quality in higher education. Ibukun called on African governments to adopt digital learning management systems (LMS) as a standard across universities, and to link their usage to performance ratings. He also urged institutions to create funding strategies that attract private investment and alumni support.

Sophia Ashipala, Head of Education at the African Union Commission, delivered a keynote address in which she revealed that digital enrollment in African higher education remains below 12%, compared to the global average of 85%. She said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the continent’s weaknesses in digital education but also offered a chance to build lasting solutions. Ashipala called for urgent curriculum reforms to focus on STEM, green skills, and African knowledge systems, alongside stronger academic mobility and research capacity that solve real problems on the continent.

Also speaking at the event, Prof. Joseph Ayodele, Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, stated that many universities in Nigeria still employ outdated, manual systems. He said these schools lack the digital tools necessary for today’s type of learning. He called on university leaders to start using digital tools not only for teaching, but also for managing the school, conducting research, and collaborating with others worldwide. The summit concluded with everyone agreeing that African governments must take digital transformation seriously to improve education and support long-term development.