The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called on Nigerian universities to overhaul their financial management systems through digital transformation, warning that institutional autonomy and increased funding must be matched with transparency, accountability and effective financial controls.
The Agency stressed that the adoption of integrated digital systems would enable universities to eliminate revenue leakages, strengthen internal controls, improve financial reporting and ensure more efficient utilisation of resources.
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, made the call while presenting a paper 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 Secretariat of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “Financial Technology, Digital Systems and University Financial Management,” Inuwa, who was represented by the Director of the Special Duties Directorate, Dr Aristotle Onumo, maintained that digital transformation in university administration goes beyond the acquisition of computers and other technological tools, requiring fundamental changes in institutional processes, leadership, organisational culture and staff behaviour.
He explained that automated digital platforms could eliminate administrative bottlenecks by allowing multiple stakeholders to review, process and approve transactions simultaneously, while ensuring proper documentation, transparency and accountability.
He stated that “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.”
The NITDA boss emphasised that successful digital transformation must be driven by strong leadership commitment, particularly at the highest levels of university administration, alongside a willingness to abandon outdated practices and embrace more efficient approaches to institutional management.
Addressing the relationship between university autonomy and financial accountability, Inuwa observed that institutional independence and increased funding must be supported by robust financial monitoring systems, transparent reporting and verifiable records.
He warned that universities’ inability to provide credible financial information could erode public confidence and ultimately undermine the sustainability of the autonomy they have worked hard to secure.
While noting that digital financial management systems would enable institutions to track allocations, monitor expenditure, generate revenue records and demonstrate how public resources are utilised, he said, “Our universities have worked hard for the autonomy, but transparency is how it can begin.”
He further explained that technology-driven financial management could help universities minimise revenue leakages, prevent fraudulent practices, improve financial projections and strengthen internal control mechanisms.
Against this backdrop, Inuwa urged university administrators to take advantage of Nigeria’s existing digital payments infrastructure by moving away from manual financial operations towards integrated and automated management systems.
He identified enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions, cashless payment platforms, real-time financial dashboards and continuous audit mechanisms as essential tools for giving university management comprehensive visibility into their financial operations and supporting evidence-based decisions.
Outlining five critical shifts needed to modernise university financial administration, the DG called for a transition from multiple ledgers to a single source of financial information; cash-based transactions to cashless campuses; after-the-fact audits to continuous assurance; periodic financial reports to real-time dashboards; and suspicion-based oversight to intelligence-driven management.
However, he cautioned universities against adopting digital technologies without adequately addressing data protection, cybersecurity, staff capacity and vendor dependency.
He stressed that digital solutions must be secure, sustainable and tailored to the operational needs of individual institutions, adding that investments in technological infrastructure must be matched with continuous staff training and capacity development.
Emphasising the importance of human capacity in achieving meaningful digital transformation, Inuwa asserted that “An ERP with untrained staff is like an expensive typewriter.”
Reaffirming NITDA’s commitment to supporting the digital transformation of Nigeria’s university system, he highlighted the Agency’s interventions in developing policy frameworks, promoting digital literacy, building capacity, supporting innovation and facilitating strategic partnerships with educational institutions.
He explained that NITDA was evolving from its traditional role as an IT administrator into an ecosystem enabler, creating platforms and opportunities for institutions, innovators and technology entrepreneurs to develop solutions and contribute to the country’s digital economy.
He consequently encouraged universities to strengthen collaboration with the Agency to develop institutional digital solutions, improve cybersecurity, build staff competencies, and automate administrative processes in line with their specific requirements.
As part of the engagement, Inuwa invited Nigerian 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 said the conference would provide opportunities for universities, businesses, government institutions, startups and investors to interact, showcase innovations and explore technology-driven solutions to institutional and national development challenges.
Concluding his presentation, the NITDA DG urged university administrators to take concrete steps towards integrating their financial management systems, embracing cashless operations and strengthening transparency in the management of institutional resources.
He reiterated the Agency’s readiness to provide the necessary technical guidance, policy frameworks and collaborative support to help universities transition from manual operations to efficient, automated and data-driven financial management systems.
He expressed optimism that, with strong institutional commitment, effective partnerships and strategic deployment of digital technologies, Nigerian universities would strengthen their governance structures, improve service delivery and make more meaningful contributions to the growth of the nation’s digital economy.