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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and North West University have begun discussions on a potential partnership aimed at strengthening digital capacity, research, innovation and technology-driven education at the institution.
The engagement brought together the management of the university and NITDA leadership to explore ways technology can be deployed to improve teaching, research, innovation and the employability of graduates.
Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, said the proposed collaboration should focus on sustainable outcomes and long-term institutional development rather than one-off interventions.
He described universities as critical to Nigeria’s digital transformation, noting their role in producing the skilled workforce, knowledge and research required to drive the country’s technology ecosystem.
According to Inuwa, Nigeria’s digital development strategy must place greater emphasis on strengthening educational institutions and developing the human capital needed to sustain the digital economy.
NITDA calls for stronger academia-industry links
The NITDA chief identified the mismatch between university curricula and industry requirements as a major challenge to graduate employability.
He urged universities to strengthen relationships with employers and technology companies while regularly reviewing academic programmes to ensure students acquire practical skills relevant to emerging technologies and both local and international labour markets.
“We need to create an ecosystem where the university produces the human capital required by government and the private sector, while industry also contributes to the development of relevant skills and research,” Inuwa said.
He disclosed that NITDA is promoting digital literacy through the National Digital Literacy Framework and encouraged North West University to incorporate digital literacy into its General Studies programme.
Beyond foundational digital skills, he urged the institution to strengthen programmes in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, robotics and other emerging technologies.
Inuwa also encouraged the university to leverage the National Universities Commission’s Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards framework to develop programmes that reflect technological developments and emerging opportunities across the economy.
He cited the collaboration between NITDA, Nasarawa State University and Cisco as an example of how partnerships between academia and industry can provide students with practical experience, professional certifications and academic recognition.
Focus on research and innovation
Inuwa said the proposed partnership should extend beyond digital skills and infrastructure to research and innovation, particularly projects capable of addressing practical challenges facing society.
He advocated greater involvement of government agencies and private-sector organisations in university research, arguing that such collaboration could help move research outcomes from classrooms and laboratories into practical applications.
Possible areas of NITDA support, he said, include technical training, innovation laboratories, research partnerships and collaboration with global technology companies.
The NITDA DG also cautioned against measuring digital transformation solely by the number of computers or other devices supplied to an institution.
While equipment is important, he said such investments can become obsolete, whereas investments in knowledge, skills, research and innovation can generate sustainable benefits.
University outlines digital transformation priorities
Earlier, Vice-Chancellor of North West University, Professor Amina Salihi, said digital transformation and research were central to the institution’s development agenda.
Salihi said the university’s 14-point agenda was designed to reposition it as a competitive 21st-century institution, with technology playing an important role in improving academic standards, global visibility and institutional ranking.
She said the university had expanded significantly since its establishment in 2012, growing from four faculties, one campus and about 1,000 students to 10 faculties and approximately 30,000 students.
The institution has also expanded its infrastructure, academic programmes and support facilities, including a teaching hospital for its medical programme.
Salihi, who assumed office in December 2025, said her administration had conducted assessments to identify the university’s most pressing needs, with infrastructure, power and digital technology emerging as key priorities.
University seeks NITDA support for digital infrastructure
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that construction of a Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centre was underway through the intervention of a philanthropist.
She appealed to NITDA to support the project with the required IT equipment, noting that the facility could eventually serve as an accredited centre for recruitment examinations and professional tests.
Salihi also announced plans to establish an Open and Distance Learning Centre, which she said would require reliable digital infrastructure and technical support.
She further appealed for additional digital devices, including laptops, to strengthen academic and administrative activities across the university.
The university has received interventions from the state government, TETFund, the Energy Commission and private philanthropists, particularly in areas including student accommodation and renewable energy.
Salihi disclosed that a two-megawatt solarisation project was being implemented at the main campus, while another solar power project was underway at the city campus.
She expressed optimism that discussions with NITDA would result in a structured partnership capable of addressing the university’s technology needs while creating opportunities for digital skills development, research and innovation.
The proposed collaboration could provide a framework for joint initiatives covering digital infrastructure, computer-based testing, open and distance learning, emerging technologies, research, innovation and human capital development.
Both institutions are expected to continue discussions on specific areas of cooperation as they work towards a sustainable partnership that can contribute to strengthening digital education and technology innovation within Nigeria’s university system.
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