Former Registrar of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Taiwo Ipaye, has urged universities to prioritise investment in workforce digital skills and continuous capacity development to equip administrators for the evolving demands of the digital age.
Speaking on Thursday at the Second Registry Lecture Series of Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, Ipaye said rapid technological advances, including artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and data analytics, were transforming university administration, making digital competence indispensable for institutional efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Delivering a lecture titled, “Digital Disruption and the Registry Workforce: Rethinking Roles, Repositioning Capacity and Building Future Readiness,” Ipaye described the university registry as the administrative backbone of every higher education institution.
She noted that university administrators perform vital functions in policy formulation, institutional planning, student affairs management, human resource administration, and overall institutional development.
“The university system cannot function effectively without the efforts of administrators,” she said.
Ipaye observed that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technologies across universities, with virtual platforms and technology-driven systems now forming an integral part of both academic and administrative operations.
She explained that platforms such as Zoom, WhatsApp, and Telegram, initially introduced as emergency tools during the pandemic, had since become permanent features of university administration.
“What began as a crisis response has become the new normal,” she said.
According to the former registrar, artificial intelligence, automation, cloud computing, and data analytics are reshaping administrative systems worldwide, transforming registry operations from manual processes into integrated, data-driven functions.
She said the transition required registry personnel to assume new responsibilities as digital records managers, systems operators, and information governance specialists.
“Employees are now custodians of digital systems and data integrity,” Ipaye stated.
She stressed that success in the digital era would increasingly depend on workforce capability and adaptability rather than staff strength alone.
To achieve this, Ipaye advocated sustained investment in continuous training and strategic partnerships to strengthen the digital competencies of university personnel.
She identified digital literacy, data management, problem-solving, and adaptability as essential competencies for administrators seeking to remain effective in today’s higher education landscape.
Ipaye also expressed concern over widening digital skills gaps resulting from rapid technological advancement, inadequate training opportunities, and resistance to innovation, warning that these challenges could undermine institutional effectiveness.
She urged universities to develop future-ready registry systems through integrated digital platforms, sound governance frameworks, sustained investment in technology, and continuous human capital development.
“The registry has always been the foundation of institutional administration. The future will depend on our ability to embrace innovation, develop digital competencies, and prepare our workforce for new administrative realities,” she said.
In her remarks, Chairperson of the event and Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Prof. Oyedunni Arulogun, said digital disruption had fundamentally transformed the workplace, making technological competence and adaptability indispensable for professionals seeking long-term relevance and career sustainability.
Arulogun encouraged registry personnel to embrace lifelong learning, innovation, and emerging digital technologies to remain competitive in an increasingly dynamic work environment.
“We must remain open-minded, continuously upgrade our skills, embrace innovation, and leverage technology effectively to ensure sustained relevance and excellence in today’s rapidly evolving digital environment,” she said.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University, Clement Kolawole, said digital disruption had significantly reshaped university administration and urged registry professionals to acquire relevant technological competencies.
“To survive in today’s university registry system, professionals must embrace technology, develop relevant competencies, and continuously adapt; otherwise, they risk becoming obsolete in the digital era,” Kolawole said.
The Registrar of Trinity University, David Oyejide, said the lecture series was established to promote intellectual engagement and professional development within Nigeria’s higher education sector.
Oyejide noted that the event reaffirmed the registry’s central role in university administration while underscoring the need for adaptability, strategic repositioning, and sustained support for institutional governance.
“Technology continues to redefine how we live, work and learn; therefore, the registry must anticipate change, embrace innovation, and remain relevant,” he added.
