National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and North West University have commenced discussions aimed at strengthening digital capacity, research, innovation and technology-driven education in the institution.
The proposed collaboration is expected to focus on deploying technology more effectively to improve teaching, research, innovation and the employability of graduates.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, said the partnership should be structured to produce sustainable outcomes rather than focus on one-off interventions.
Inuwa said universities remained critical to Nigeria’s digital transformation because of their role in producing the skilled workforce, knowledge and research needed to drive technological advancement.
He said Nigeria’s digital development strategy must place greater emphasis on strengthening institutions and building the capacity of people who would drive the country’s digital economy.
The NITDA boss identified the mismatch between university training and industry requirements as a major challenge affecting graduate employability.
He urged universities to build stronger relationships with employers, technology companies and other industry players to ensure that graduates acquire skills that are relevant to the changing labour market.
Inuwa also called for regular reviews of academic curricula to expose students to emerging technologies and practical skills required in both Nigerian and international 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,” he said.
Inuwa said NITDA was promoting digital literacy through the National Digital Literacy Framework and encouraged North West University to integrate digital literacy into its General Studies programme.
He said the institution should also strengthen academic programmes in emerging areas, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing and robotics.
According to him, the university can take advantage of the National Universities Commission’s Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards framework to develop programmes that respond to technological developments and emerging opportunities in the economy.
The NITDA DG cited the collaboration between NITDA, Nasarawa State University and Cisco as an example of how partnerships between academia, government and industry could provide students with practical exposure, professional certifications and academic recognition.
He said the proposed partnership with North West University should also extend beyond infrastructure to research and innovation, particularly projects capable of addressing real-world challenges.
Inuwa advocated the early involvement of government agencies and private-sector players in university research, noting that such collaboration could improve the movement of research findings from laboratories and classrooms into practical solutions.
He identified technical training, innovation laboratories, research collaboration and partnerships with global technology companies as possible areas of NITDA’s support.
The NITDA boss said sustainable digital development should not be measured merely by the number of computers and other devices supplied to institutions.
According to him, while equipment would eventually become outdated, investments in knowledge, skills, research and innovation would continue to produce long-term benefits.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of North West University, Prof. Amina Salihi, said digital transformation and research were central to her administration’s development agenda.
Salihi said the university’s 14-point agenda was designed to reposition the institution as a competitive 21st-century university.
She said technology was indispensable to improving academic standards, global visibility and the university’s ranking.
The vice-chancellor said the institution had recorded significant growth since its establishment in 2012.
According to her, the university has expanded from four faculties, one campus and about 1,000 students to 10 faculties with approximately 30,000 students.
She said the institution had also expanded its infrastructure, academic programmes and support facilities, including the establishment of a teaching hospital for its medical programme.
Salihi, who assumed office in December 2025, said her administration had conducted assessments to identify areas requiring urgent intervention, with infrastructure, power and digital technology emerging among the key priorities.
She disclosed that construction of a Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centre was underway through the intervention of a philanthropist.
According to her, the facility could be developed into an accredited centre for recruitment examinations, professional tests and other computer-based assessments.
She appealed to NITDA to provide the IT equipment required to support the effective operation of the proposed CBT centre.
The vice-chancellor also announced plans to establish an Open and Distance Learning Centre, noting that the initiative would require reliable digital infrastructure and technical support.
She appealed for additional digital devices, including laptops, to improve academic and administrative operations across the university.
Salihi said the institution had benefited from interventions by the state government, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Energy Commission and private philanthropists, particularly in the areas of student accommodation and renewable energy.
She disclosed that a two-megawatt solarisation project was being implemented at the university’s main campus, while another solar power project was underway at its city campus.
The vice-chancellor expressed optimism that the engagement with NITDA would lead to a structured partnership capable of addressing the university’s technology needs while creating opportunities for research, innovation and digital skills development.
The proposed collaboration is expected to provide a framework for joint initiatives in digital infrastructure, computer-based testing, open and distance learning, emerging technologies, research, innovation and human capital development.
Both institutions are expected to continue discussions toward identifying specific areas of cooperation and developing a sustainable partnership to strengthen digital education, innovation and human capital development in Nigeria’s university system.
