The Director of the Office of Advancement at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Taiwo Ipaye, has urged Nigerian universities to accelerate the digital transformation of their administrative processes, warning that institutions that fail to adapt to emerging technologies risk becoming inefficient, redundant and ultimately obsolete.
Ipaye made the call while delivering the second Registry Discourse at Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, where she presented a lecture titled "Digital Disruption and the Registry Workforce: Rethinking Roles, Repositioning Capacity and Building Future Readiness."
She said the era of paper-based administration was fast fading, stressing that university registries must evolve from conventional administrative support units into strategic drivers of institutional excellence through the adoption of digital technologies.
According to her, advances in artificial intelligence (AI), automation and machine learning are reshaping higher education administration, making it imperative for registry personnel to acquire new digital competencies.
"This is the age of digital disruption and machine learning with the use of Artificial Intelligence in virtually every area of our operations. The registry workforce cannot afford to be left behind. We must rethink our roles, reposition capacity and build for future readiness," she said.
Ipaye explained that future-ready university registries would be characterised by fully digitised workflows, integrated and centralised data management systems, as well as the deployment of AI and automation in decision-making processes.
She warned that institutions that fail to embrace digital transformation would struggle with inefficiency and declining relevance.
"The implication is clear: organisations that fail to adapt risk inefficiency, redundancy and eventual obsolescence," she stated.
The former registrar noted that routine administrative tasks such as manual filing, document stamping and data entry are increasingly being automated, creating greater demand for expertise in digital systems administration, data governance and information management.
"The workforce is shifting from task execution to system management and data oversight. Employees are no longer just processors of information but custodians of digital systems and data integrity," she added.
Reflecting on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Ipaye said universities had demonstrated their ability to rapidly adopt digital technologies, with virtual learning platforms and online communication becoming permanent features of higher education administration.
"The pandemic showed us that universities, and their administrative backbone—the registry—can change rapidly when exigency demands it. The future is already here with us," she said.
She called on universities to prioritise continuous staff development by creating dedicated budgets for digital skills training and professional capacity building.
Ipaye also urged the National Assembly and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to embrace digital documentation, rather than requesting large volumes of printed documents from tertiary institutions during oversight engagements.
According to her, institutions should digitise every stage of their operations—from admissions to graduation—to improve efficiency and service delivery.
She identified the widening digital skills gap as one of the biggest challenges confronting university administration, attributing it to rapid technological advancement, inadequate training opportunities and resistance to change.
"Success in a digital environment is determined not by the number of employees but by the quality of their skills and adaptability," she said.
To prepare institutions for the future, Ipaye recommended sustained investment in digital infrastructure, cloud-based technologies, regular skills audits, robust data protection policies and effective change management strategies.
"Future readiness is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing intentional process of adaptation and innovation," she noted.
She concluded that the long-term relevance of university registries would depend on their ability to embrace innovation while preserving the core values of professionalism and institutional governance.
"Digital disruption is not merely a technological shift; it is a workforce transformation challenge. The registry workforce must evolve from traditional administrative roles to dynamic, technology-enabled functions.
"Ultimately, the success of digital transformation depends not just on technology, but on the ability of people to adapt, learn and lead within a rapidly changing environment," she added.
Also speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Prof. Oyedunni Arulogun, emphasised that embracing digital innovation has become indispensable for universities seeking to remain competitive.
She urged registry professionals to acquire emerging digital competencies and adopt practical strategies that would ensure the long-term relevance of university administration.
"You can't afford to be fixated on old ways. Be open-minded, develop practical approaches for sustained relevance of the registry. A resilient, future-ready workforce is crucial now in universities," Arulogun said.
The Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University, Prof. Clement Kolawole, also stressed the importance of technological literacy, noting that digital competence has become essential for career sustainability.
Registrar of Trinity University, David Oyejide, said registry professionals must anticipate and adapt to change in order to remain effective custodians of institutional records, governance and administrative processes.
The event also featured the presentation of a community service award to Inspector Justina Rita Omogbai of the Yaba Divisional Police Headquarters in recognition of her dedication to the welfare of schoolchildren in the Yaba community.
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