Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) have reiterated their commitment to transform higher education management in Nigeria through the adoption of smart digital solutions.
This position was made known at the 2025 training workshop for senior university professional administrators, organised by ANUPA in Abuja.
The event, themed, “Transforming University Administration: Enhancing Innovation, Collaboration and Leadership in a Digital Era,” aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Now in its second day, the workshop is tailored to help university administrators embrace innovation and adopt data-driven processes essential for transparency, speed, and optimal performance in higher education institutions.
Speaking at the event, the national president of ANUPA, Dr. Victor Mkuma Bem, expressed deep appreciation to the NUC for granting access to the commission’s auditorium for the workshop.
“On behalf of ANUPA, I thank the National Universities Commission for availing us of the use of the auditorium. This gesture is not taken for granted,” he said.
Bem emphasised that the theme of the workshop reflected the dynamic nature of university administration in the digital era. He stressed the importance of continuous professional development to keep up with changing administrative demands.
“In this era of rapid digital transformation, the National Executive Committee is fully aware of the need to continuously build capacity, ensuring our members remain efficient and effective within the university system,” he said.
He added that the workshop was specifically designed to prepare administrators for an administrative system that prioritises sustainable change management.
“This training aims to equip participants with the tools to navigate and manage evolving institutional systems,” he added.
Bem also expressed hope that the event would foster networking and collaboration among participants from various universities, thereby encouraging the exchange of ideas, solutions to common administrative challenges, and the promotion of global best practices. He noted that participants were expected to conduct step-down training sessions in their respective institutions to ensure widespread knowledge dissemination.
Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, commended ANUPA for organising what he described as a timely and forward-thinking initiative.
He said the event aligned with the commission’s broader vision of building a more responsive, innovative and future-ready university system.
Ribadu emphasised that adapting to digital transformation was no longer optional, as it was reshaping every sector, including education.
“In today’s rapidly evolving knowledge economy, the effectiveness of university administration in enhancing quality, relevance, and global competitiveness cannot be overstated,” he said.
He stressed the need for university administrators to be empowered with the right digital skills, describing them as the backbone of institutional governance.
“This workshop presents a valuable platform for capacity building and knowledge sharing, which we believe will translate into more transparent, efficient, and student-centered administrative practices,” he said.
Ribadu disclosed that the NUC was actively partnering with key stakeholders such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and international organisations to integrate digital literacy and emerging technologies—particularly artificial intelligence (AI)—into university curricula and governance structures.
He further revealed that the commission recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Daimler, a U.S.-based AI ecosystem, to provide free AI training to all staff and students in Nigerian universities for the next four years.
“Through this strategic collaboration, we aim to build a digitally fluent workforce, support universities in upgrading their ICT infrastructure, and encourage the adoption of smart solutions to enhance administrative service delivery,” he added.
