By Stella Odueme
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called on Nigerian universities to embrace digital transformation to strengthen financial management, transparency, accountability and institutional efficiency.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, made the call during a presentation titled, “Strengthening Financial Governance and Risk Management in Nigerian Universities,” at an engagement organised by the Committee of Vice Chancellors Training Institute (CVCTI) at the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities Secretariat in Abuja.
Inuwa, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties, Dr Aristotle Onumo, said technology-driven financial management was critical to improving university administration and supporting President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Mrs. Hadiza Umar on Saturday, he explained that digital transformation involved more than acquiring computers and software, stressing that it required changes in institutional processes, leadership, organisational culture and staff behaviour.
According to him, automated financial platforms would eliminate administrative bottlenecks, accelerate decision-making and allow multiple stakeholders to process and approve transactions simultaneously while maintaining proper records.
He noted that university autonomy must be matched with transparency and accountability, warning that inadequate financial records and weak reporting systems could undermine public confidence and threaten institutional independence.
“Our universities have worked hard for the autonomy, but transparency is how it can begin,” he said.
The NITDA chief explained that digital financial systems could help universities monitor allocations, track expenditure, improve revenue collection, minimise financial leakages and strengthen internal controls.
He identified five major reforms required to modernise university financial management: adopting a single source of financial information, transitioning to cashless campuses, embracing continuous auditing, deploying real-time financial dashboards and replacing suspicion-based supervision with intelligence-driven management.
Inuwa also advocated the adoption of enterprise resource planning solutions, automated payment platforms and integrated financial management systems to support evidence-based decisions.
However, he cautioned universities against adopting digital technologies without addressing cybersecurity, data protection, staff capacity and dependence on technology vendors.
He emphasised the importance of training, noting that deploying digital infrastructure without adequately skilled personnel could undermine its effectiveness.
“An ERP with untrained staff is like an expensive typewriter,” he said.
Reaffirming NITDA's commitment to supporting digital transformation in the education sector, Inuwa said the agency would continue to provide frameworks, digital literacy programmes, capacity development and strategic partnerships to strengthen institutional technology adoption.
He also invited universities to participate in the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition scheduled for November 10 to 12, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
He said the event would provide opportunities for universities, government institutions, businesses, startups and investors to showcase innovations and explore technology-driven solutions.
Inuwa urged university administrators to integrate their financial systems, embrace cashless operations and prioritise transparency, assuring them of NITDA's readiness to provide the necessary technical guidance and collaborative support.