By Muhammad Jalal
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has challenged Nigerian universities to embrace digital transformation in their financial operations, declaring that technology-driven governance is critical to promoting transparency, accountability and institutional efficiency.
Inuwa said the adoption of integrated digital financial management systems would strengthen university governance, eliminate financial leakages, improve accountability and ensure the effective utilisation of public resources.
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 in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “Financial Technology, Digital Systems and University Financial Management,” the NITDA Director-General, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties Directorate, Dr Aristotle Onumo, emphasised that digital transformation must go beyond the acquisition of computers and other technological equipment.
According to him, meaningful digital transformation requires a complete rethink of institutional processes, leadership approaches, organisational culture and the behaviour of personnel responsible for managing university affairs.
He stressed that technology alone cannot deliver the desired reforms without the commitment of university management and the willingness of staff to abandon outdated administrative practices.
“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,” Inuwa declared.
He explained that properly deployed digital platforms could eliminate unnecessary administrative bottlenecks, accelerate decision-making and allow multiple stakeholders to review, process and approve financial transactions simultaneously while maintaining accurate records.
Addressing the relationship between university autonomy and financial accountability, Inuwa noted that institutional independence and increased funding must go hand in hand with transparent financial management and effective monitoring mechanisms.
He warned that universities could undermine public confidence and jeopardise the sustainability of their autonomy if they failed to provide reliable financial information and verifiable records of expenditure.
“Our universities have worked hard for the autonomy, but transparency is how it can begin,” he stated.
The NITDA boss maintained that digital financial management systems would enable universities to properly account for government allocations, monitor expenditure, track internally generated revenue and provide credible information on how financial resources are utilised.
He further explained that technology-driven financial administration would help institutions minimise revenue leakages, detect fraudulent practices, improve financial projections and strengthen internal control mechanisms.
Inuwa urged university administrators to take advantage of Nigeria’s growing digital payments ecosystem by moving away from manual financial procedures towards integrated and automated systems.
He identified Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions, cashless payment platforms, real-time financial dashboards and continuous audit mechanisms as essential tools for modernising university financial administration.
According to him, these systems would provide university management with a comprehensive picture of their financial operations, enabling informed decisions based on accurate and timely information.
Highlighting five critical changes required to modernise university financial management, Inuwa called for a transition from multiple financial ledgers to a single source of reliable information; cash-based transactions to cashless campuses; after-the-fact audits to continuous assurance; periodic financial reports to real-time dashboards; and suspicion-based supervision to intelligence-driven management.
He, however, cautioned universities against adopting digital technologies without adequate attention to data protection, cybersecurity, staff capacity and overdependence on technology vendors.
He stressed that digital solutions must be secure, sustainable and tailored to the operational needs of individual institutions.
The NITDA chief also emphasised that investment in digital infrastructure must be matched with adequate staff training and behavioural change to ensure that institutions derive maximum benefits from technological innovations.
“An ERP with untrained staff is like an expensive typewriter,” he warned.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, Inuwa highlighted NITDA’s role in developing technology frameworks, promoting digital literacy, building institutional capacity, supporting innovation and facilitating strategic partnerships with educational institutions.
He explained that the agency was evolving from its traditional role as an IT administrator into an ecosystem enabler, creating opportunities and platforms for institutions, innovators and technology entrepreneurs to contribute to national development.
He consequently encouraged universities to partner with NITDA in developing institutional digital solutions, strengthening cybersecurity, improving staff competencies and automating administrative processes according to their respective needs.
As part of efforts to deepen collaboration between the technology sector and educational institutions, Inuwa invited Nigerian universities to participate in the forthcoming Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition scheduled to hold from November 10 to 12, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
He described the conference as an important platform for universities, government institutions, businesses, startups and investors to showcase innovations, establish partnerships and explore technology-driven solutions to institutional and national challenges.
In his concluding remarks, the NITDA Director-General urged university administrators to move beyond discussions and take concrete steps towards integrating their financial systems, embracing cashless operations and ensuring greater transparency in the management of institutional resources.
He reiterated the agency’s readiness to provide technical guidance, policy frameworks and collaborative support to universities willing to transition from manual administrative processes to efficient, automated and data-driven systems.
Inuwa expressed optimism that stronger institutional commitment, effective partnerships and strategic deployment of digital technologies would improve governance structures, strengthen public confidence and enhance service delivery across Nigeria’s university system.
He added that a digitally transformed university system would not only promote better financial management but also position Nigerian institutions to contribute more effectively to the country’s growing digital economy.
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