Nigeria’s universities risk falling behind globally due to slow adoption of digital learning platforms, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) officials have warned.
At a two-day workshop on Blackboard and the Tertiary Education, Research, Applications and Services (TERAS) platform, TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono stated that many institutions are failing to fully utilise their ICT infrastructure, with some still submitting requests in hard copy despite clear directives for online submissions.
“Without leadership commitment, staff and students remain reluctant to embrace technology, and public investment goes to waste,” Echono said, stressing that Nigeria currently ranks 189th worldwide and 25th in Africa in education competitiveness.
The workshop brought together registrars, bursars, ICT directors, and thesis repository managers to discuss how digital tools can enhance teaching, research, and administration. Participants emphasised that leadership, continuous training, and incentives are essential for successful adoption.
Echono urged institutions to prioritise functional websites and online systems, describing them as essential for visibility, credibility, and access to global collaborations. He warned that Nigeria’s educational underdevelopment partly stems from failing to leverage technology effectively.
