Polytechnic Registries Must Go Digital, Ondo Head Of Service Urges Staff

The Head of Service of Ondo State, Chief Segun Odusanya, has charged Registry personnel in polytechnics to embrace digital transformation and continually improve their professional competence to meet the changing demands of modern tertiary institution administration.

Odusanya gave the charge while delivering the keynote address at the Second Registry Retreat of the Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the institution’s 1,500-capacity Multipurpose Auditorium.

The retreat, themed, “Enhancing Digital Skills and Professional Excellence in Registry Practice for Polytechnic Education in the 21st Century, focused on the growing importance of digital skills, professional development, ethical conduct and efficient records management in tertiary institutions.

The Ondo State Head of Service described the theme as relevant and timely, saying it reflected an understanding of the realities of the rapidly evolving educational landscape and the critical role of technology in modern institutional administration.

He, however, cautioned that technology alone could not deliver excellence, stressing that the true value of digital transformation depended on the competence, adaptability and commitment of the people operating the systems.

Odusanya urged Registry personnel to continually upgrade their digital skills and professional competence in order to respond effectively to the changing demands of modern tertiary institution administration.

He commended the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, particularly the Registry Department, for embracing digital transformation in advancing the institution’s vision and mission and contributing to the development of polytechnic education in Nigeria.

He charged the staff to maintain high standards in their duties, urging them to “Do your best and be the best.”

Also speaking at the retreat, the outgoing Registrar of the institution, Mr Gabriel Adeyemi Awe, called for greater adoption of digital innovation in Registry operations, particularly in record-keeping.

Awe, who delivered a lecture titled, “Modern Registry in Polytechnic Education”, highlighted the benefits of digital systems in the preservation, retrieval and management of institutional records.

He stated that information is usually lost manually, stressing the need for institutions to adopt more efficient digital systems.

According to him, intentionality, continuity, regular training by management and adequate government funding were essential to ensuring the effective adoption and sustainability of digital practices in Registry operations.

Earlier, the Rector of the institution, Dr Ademola Iyanda Ebeloku, said the Registry Department must fully embrace digital transformation in the 21st century.

Ebeloku said modern Registry professionals must be lifelong learners who continually update their knowledge and digital competencies.

He maintained that the future of Registry practice belonged to professionals willing to learn, adapt, innovate and uphold the highest standards of integrity.

The Rector urged Registry staff to see the retreat as a call to action and an opportunity to acquire knowledge that would contribute to achieving the Polytechnic’s strategic objectives.

He also commended the outgoing Registrar for introducing the e-Appraisal System for the 2026 Annual Appraisal Evaluation Exercise, saying the initiative had significantly reduced the burden and cost associated with producing traditional manual appraisal forms.

While pledging the institution’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of its workforce, Ebeloku urged participants to translate the knowledge gained at the retreat into practical measures capable of improving Registry operations and service delivery to staff, students and other stakeholders.

The guest lecturer and current Registrar of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State, Dr Popoola Julius Oluseye, also advocated the increased deployment of ICT tools in Registry administration.

Speaking on “ICT Tools for Registry Efficiency”, Popoola identified speedy completion of tasks, greater data accuracy, easy access to information, enhanced security of records and reduced office space requirements through electronic storage as some of the benefits of ICT adoption.

He also stressed the need for seamless interdependence among Registry units to ensure efficient service delivery and improved productivity.

Popoola said, “ICT tools in Registry activities are a necessity to get more tasks accomplished with precision at the shortest possible time, with little or no error.”