Egbewole advocates responsible digitisation for higher education growth
By Isaac Lewu
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has described digitisation as a transformative force shaping the future of higher education, adding that sustainable investment, inclusivity, innovation, and responsible technology usage remain essential for universities seeking to thrive in the evolving global knowledge economy.
Prof. Egbewole stated this penultimate Wednesday (May 20, 2026) while presenting a keynote address at the League of Tropical Universities (LTU) Summit in Hainan, China, where he highlighted UNILORIN’s strides in digital transformation and higher education innovation.
Speaking on the theme “Digitalisation in Higher Education”, the Vice Chancellor explained that the global education landscape was undergoing rapid transformation driven by technological advancement, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and other digital tools designed to improve teaching, research, and community service delivery.
Prof. Egbewole, who is the Secretary General of the Association of West Africa Universities (AWAU), noted that digital transformation in higher education goes beyond technology adoption, stressing that it involves strategic, flexible, and student-friendly approaches capable of improving learning outcomes within the university system. He added that institutions must embrace hybrid learning models and responsible digital practices in order to remain globally competitive.
The UNILORIN Vice Chancellor cautioned participants at the Summit against overdependence on Artificial Intelligence, maintaining that human intelligence and natural learning processes must continue to occupy a central position within the educational system. He noted that Artificial Intelligence should complement, rather than replace, human intellectual capacity.
The member of the Nigerian Body of Benchers also identified major challenges confronting digitalisation in higher education, as including inadequate funding, unstable power supply, internet infrastructure limitations, and digital literacy gaps across developing countries. He explained that such challenges require collaborative efforts among governments, universities, and technology-driven organisations.
Prof. Egbewole disclosed that the University of Ilorin pioneered the Computer-Based Test (CBT) system in Nigeria, a development that has now become widely adopted across the nation’s tertiary institutions.
He further explained that the University had consistently expanded its digital infrastructure and bandwidth capacity while also automating several administrative and academic processes, including examinations, record management, and institutional operations aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery.
The Vice President of the Association of African Universities (AAU) added that the institution had developed a comprehensive ICT policy framework to guide the responsible deployment of technology within the University community, noting that the policy also emphasises cybersecurity, sustainability, and ethical digital practices.
Prof. Egbewole also revealed that the University had prioritised staff capacity building and digital literacy training for students in order to ensure effective integration of technology into teaching and learning activities. He added that the establishment of the Centre for Cyber Security and Sustainable Development further demonstrated the commitment of the University to digital innovation and online safety.
The Vice Chancellor called for stronger global partnerships among universities, noting that institutions across different countries possess unique strengths capable of complementing one another for mutual academic growth and development.
Prof. Egbewole subsequently used the occasion to introduce the University of Ilorin to members of the League of Tropical Universities, emphasising the institution’s contributions to research, innovation, digital transformation, and academic excellence within Nigeria and beyond.
As part of his engagements on the sidelines of the Summit, the UNILORIN Vice Chancellor held a bilateral meeting with the President of Hainan University during which both institutions agreed to collaborate in the areas of joint research, students and staff exchange programmes, joint conferences, journal publications, dual degree initiatives, and people-to-people cooperation.
The proposed collaboration will also focus on specialised areas such as Agriculture and Aquaculture, Environmental Sciences, Law and Humanities, Engineering, Technology, and Innovation Processes aimed at addressing contemporary global challenges.
Prof. Egbewole also held strategic discussions with the President of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS as well as the Vice-Chancellor of Ghana Communication Technology University on possible areas of academic partnership and institutional cooperation.
