By Nkechi Eze
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, has urged Nigerian universities to embrace digital transformation to strengthen financial governance, transparency, accountability and institutional efficiency.
Inuwa said technology-driven financial management systems would improve resource utilisation, minimise revenue leakages, strengthen internal controls and promote public confidence in university administration.
He made the call while delivering 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 (CVCNU) Secretariat, Abuja.
According to an official statement by the Agency, the NITDA Director-General, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties Directorate, Dr Aristotle Onumo, spoke on the theme, “Financial Technology, Digital Systems and University Financial Management.”
He explained that digital transformation in university administration goes beyond acquiring computers and other technological tools, stressing that it requires fundamental changes in institutional processes, leadership commitment, organisational culture and staff behaviour.
“It is not about computers. It’s not about technology. It’s about processes. It’s about people. It’s about culture. It’s about behaviour,” he said.
The NITDA boss noted that automated financial platforms could eliminate administrative bottlenecks, accelerate decision-making and enable multiple stakeholders to review, process and approve transactions simultaneously while maintaining accurate records and accountability.
He stressed that successful digital transformation required commitment from university leadership and a willingness to abandon outdated practices in favour of more efficient and transparent systems.
Addressing the relationship between university autonomy and financial accountability, Inuwa maintained that increased funding and institutional independence must be supported by effective financial monitoring, transparent reporting and verifiable records.
He warned that universities’ inability to provide reliable financial information could erode public confidence and threaten the sustainability of their autonomy.
“Our universities have worked hard for the autonomy, but transparency is how it can begin,” he stated.
He further explained that digital financial management systems would enable universities to account for allocations, monitor expenditure, track internally generated revenue and provide credible information on how resources were utilised.
Inuwa identified five critical shifts required to modernise financial management in Nigerian universities: moving from multiple ledgers to a single source of financial information; transitioning from cash-based transactions to cashless campuses; replacing after-the-fact audits with continuous assurance; moving from periodic financial reports to real-time dashboards; and adopting intelligence-driven management instead of suspicion-based oversight.
He encouraged universities to leverage Nigeria’s existing digital payments infrastructure by adopting enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions, cashless payment platforms, real-time financial dashboards and continuous audit mechanisms.
According to him, these systems would provide university management with a comprehensive picture of their financial operations and support evidence-based decisions.
However, he cautioned university administrators against adopting digital solutions without adequate consideration of data protection, cybersecurity, staff capacity and dependence on technology vendors.
He emphasised that investments in digital infrastructure must be matched with staff training and behavioural change to ensure effective implementation.
“An ERP with untrained staff is like an expensive typewriter,” he warned.
Reaffirming NITDA’s commitment to supporting digital transformation in the university system, Inuwa highlighted the Agency’s role in developing policy frameworks, promoting digital literacy, building capacity, supporting innovation and facilitating strategic partnerships with educational institutions.
He explained that NITDA was transitioning from its traditional role as an IT administrator to becoming an ecosystem enabler, creating platforms and opportunities for institutions, innovators and technology entrepreneurs to thrive.
The Director-General consequently encouraged universities to partner with the Agency in developing institutional digital solutions, strengthening cybersecurity, improving digital competencies and automating administrative processes.
He also invited universities to participate in the forthcoming Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition scheduled for November 10 to 12, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
He described the conference as an opportunity for universities, government institutions, businesses, startups and investors to showcase innovations, build partnerships and explore technology-driven solutions to institutional and national challenges.
Inuwa urged university administrators to take practical steps towards integrating their financial systems, adopting cashless operations and ensuring greater transparency and accountability in the management of institutional resources.
He expressed optimism that through institutional commitment, effective partnerships and strategic deployment of digital technologies, Nigerian universities would strengthen their governance structures, improve service delivery and contribute more meaningfully to the country’s digital economy.
