Transforming University Administration: Embracing innovation, collaboration, leadership in Digital Era

By: Goodluck E. Adubazi – Abuja.

The Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA) has organized a workshop aimed at equipping university professional administrators to embrace digital innovation in an era that demands transparency, speed, and data-driven processes for optimal performance. The workshop is being held in Abuja.

Speaking at the opening of the two-day workshop, the National President of ANUPA, Dr. Victor Mkuma Bem, welcomed participants to the event themed “Transforming University Administration: Embracing Innovation, Collaboration, and Leadership in a Digital Era,” which runs from May 29 to 30, 2025, at the National Universities Commission (NUC) Auditorium, Abuja.

Dr. Bem expressed appreciation to the NUC for granting ANUPA access to the auditorium. “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.

Continuing, he noted, “The theme of the workshop—Transforming University Administration: Embracing Innovation, Collaboration, and Leadership in a Digital Era—highlights the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the administrative landscape.

“In this digital era, marked by rapid change, the National Executive Committee is mindful of the need for continuous professional development to ensure our members can sustain administrative efficiency within the university system,” Dr. Bem remarked.

He explained further that the training is designed to prepare university administrators for a changing administrative system that emphasizes sustainable change management.

“This workshop aims to equip university professional administrators with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate evolving systems,” he said.

Dr. Bem added that experienced resource persons will share their expertise with participants to enhance their skills and capacity.

Regarding the expected outcomes, Dr. Bem expressed hope that the workshop would foster meaningful connections among participants from various universities and institutions, enabling the exchange of ideas to solve administrative challenges and promote global best practices.

He also emphasized that participants would conduct step-down training within their respective institutions to further disseminate the knowledge gained.

The President concluded by welcoming all participants and wishing them a successful training and a pleasant stay in the Federal Capital Territory.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, conveyed greetings from the management and staff of the NUC, as well as the entire Nigerian university system.

“It is with great pleasure that I convey the warm greetings of the Management and staff of the NUC and, by extension, the Nigerian university system, on this important occasion,” he said.

He commended ANUPA for organizing such a timely and forward-looking event, which aligns with the Commission’s commitment to building a more responsive, innovative, and future-ready university system.

“The theme of this workshop closely aligns with the Commission’s strategic direction as a regulatory agency overseeing the orderly development of university education in Nigeria,” he explained.

Prof. Ribadu highlighted the importance of adapting to the digital transformation currently reshaping every sector of society.

“In today’s rapidly evolving knowledge economy, the effectiveness of university administration in advancing quality, relevance, and global competitiveness cannot be overstated,” he remarked.

He stressed that university administrators must be empowered with the necessary digital skills to thrive, noting that “professional administrators are the backbone of institutional governance.”

“This workshop offers a valuable platform for capacity building and knowledge exchange, which we hope will translate into more efficient, transparent, and student-centered administrative practices,” he stated.

He further noted that the NUC values partnerships that promote meaningful change. In line with this, the Commission has been collaborating with key stakeholders like the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and international partners to integrate digital literacy and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), into university curricula and governance.

Prof. Ribadu revealed that the Commission recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Daimler, an AI ecosystem based in the United States, to offer free AI training to all staff and students of Nigerian universities for four years.

“Through this strategic collaboration, we aim to build a digitally fluent workforce, support institutions in improving ICT infrastructure, and encourage the adoption of smart solutions to enhance service delivery,” he added.

He assured participants of the Commission’s continued support for initiatives that strengthen university administrators’ capacity.

“With empowered administrators, digitally equipped institutions, and purposeful leadership, our universities can meet both national and global expectations,” he concluded, before formally declaring the workshop open.

In a chat with Standard Times Nigeria, ANUPA’s National Public Relations Officer and fellow of the Managers for Public Relations, Onyinye Ralph Nwachukwu, shed more light on the event.

“Every year, we organize training workshops for our members. This week, we began with meetings and concluded them yesterday. We’ll be leaving Abuja on Saturday. Our focus now is on training and retraining senior university administrators, including deputy registrars, directors, principal assistant registrars, and senior assistant registrars,” she explained.

She added that there would be another training session for other cadres in August, as the workshops are held in different phases.

“Today marks the official opening ceremony, with the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Ribadu, declaring the workshop open. He emphasized the need for university administrators to upskill and adapt to modern demands,” she said.

According to her, the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Mr. Adefemi, was the first resource person and spoke on the importance of data skills in administration.

“You can’t claim that artificial intelligence is superior to natural intelligence, but it stems from it. That’s why administrators need to upskill to remain relevant in the system,” Onyinye emphasized.

She also highlighted that the ongoing discussions focus on collaboration and effective service delivery across universities.

“Most participants here are from the management cadre. Our theme, Transforming University Administration: Embracing Innovation, Collaboration, and Leadership in a Digital Underscores the importance of collaboration in today’s administrative roles,” she concluded.

At the end of the two-day workshop, participants are expected to adopt innovative practices, embrace collaboration, and exercise leadership in the digital era to enhance university administration. They are also encouraged to conduct step-down pieces of training to promote problem-solving and cross-functional teamwork for improved institutional performance.