NITDA, North West University Partner to Drive Digital Transformation

"The proposed collaboration will focus on deploying technology to improve teaching and learning, enhance research capacity and equip graduates with practical skills needed to compete in Nigeria’s increasingly digital economy." Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA.

.... Says "the partnership must go beyond one-off interventions and focus on building sustainable institutional capacity."

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and North West University have opened discussions on a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening digital education, research, innovation and technology-driven skills development in the institution.

The proposed collaboration will focus on deploying technology to improve teaching and learning, enhance research capacity and equip graduates with practical skills needed to compete in Nigeria’s increasingly digital economy.

Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, said the partnership must go beyond one-off interventions and focus on building sustainable institutional capacity.

Inuwa, who spoke during an engagement with the university’s management, described universities as critical drivers of Nigeria’s digital transformation because of their role in producing the skilled workforce and research needed to sustain technological advancement.

He urged the institution to strengthen its relationship with industry and regularly review its academic curricula to align with emerging technologies and labour-market requirements.

“We need to create an ecosystem where the university produces the human capital required by government and the private sector, while industry also contributes to the development of relevant skills and research,” he said.

The NITDA chief encouraged the university to integrate digital literacy into its General Studies programme under the National Digital Literacy Framework, while expanding academic programmes in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, robotics and other emerging technologies.

He also called on the institution to leverage the National Universities Commission’s Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards framework to develop programmes that respond to technological changes and emerging opportunities.

Inuwa cited the partnership between NITDA, Nasarawa State University and Cisco as an example of how collaboration between academia and industry could provide students with practical exposure, professional certifications and academic recognition.

He said the proposed partnership with North West University should also promote research and innovation targeted at solving real-world challenges, stressing that government agencies and private-sector players should be involved early in university research projects to facilitate the conversion of research findings into practical solutions.

According to him, possible areas of NITDA support include technical training, innovation laboratories, research collaboration and partnerships with global technology companies.

Inuwa further cautioned against measuring digital transformation by the number of computers or other devices supplied to institutions, noting that equipment would eventually become obsolete, while investments in knowledge, skills, research and innovation would deliver lasting benefits.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of North West University, Prof. Amina Salihi, said digital transformation and research were central to her administration’s development agenda.

Salihi said the university’s 14-point agenda was designed to reposition the institution as a competitive 21st-century university, with technology playing a critical role in improving academic standards, global visibility and ranking.

She disclosed that the university, established in 2012, had grown from four faculties, one campus and about 1,000 students to 10 faculties and approximately 30,000 students.

According to her, the institution has also expanded its academic programmes and infrastructure, including a teaching hospital for its medical programme.

The Vice-Chancellor, who assumed office in December 2025, said an assessment of the university’s needs had identified infrastructure, power and digital technology as key priorities.

She disclosed that construction of a Computer-Based Testing centre was underway through the intervention of a philanthropist, and appealed to NITDA to provide the required IT equipment.

Salihi said the facility could eventually become an accredited centre for recruitment examinations and professional tests.

She also announced plans to establish an Open and Distance Learning Centre, which she said would require reliable digital infrastructure and technical support.

The Vice-Chancellor further appealed for additional digital devices, including laptops, to strengthen academic and administrative operations.

She disclosed that a two-megawatt solarisation project was being implemented at the university’s main campus, while another solar power project was underway at the city campus.

Salihi expressed optimism that the engagement with NITDA would culminate in a structured and sustainable partnership covering digital infrastructure, computer-based testing, open and distance learning, emerging technologies, research, innovation and human capital development.

The proposed collaboration is expected to contribute to strengthening digital education and technology-driven innovation within Nigeria’s university system.