NITDA, North West University move to deepen digital transformation

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and North West University have commenced discussions aimed at strengthening digital capacity, research and technology-driven education in the institution.

The engagement, which brought together the management of the university and NITDA leadership, centred on how technology could be deployed more effectively to improve teaching, research, innovation and the employability of graduates.

Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, said the proposed collaboration should be designed to produce sustainable outcomes rather than focus on one-off interventions.

Inuwa maintained that universities remained critical to Nigeria’s digital transformation because of their responsibility for producing the skilled workforce, knowledge and research required to sustain technological advancement.

He said the country’s digital development strategy must therefore place greater emphasis on strengthening institutions and building the capacity of people who would drive the digital economy.

Inuwa called for regular reviews of academic curricula to ensure that students are exposed to emerging technologies and acquire practical skills relevant to both the Nigerian and international labour markets.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of North West University, Professor Amina Salihi, said her administration had placed digital transformation and research at the centre of its development agenda.

Professor Salihi said the university’s 14-point agenda was designed to reposition the institution as a competitive 21st-century university, noting that technology was indispensable to improving its academic standards, global visibility and ranking.