Campus News

Expert canvasses digital transformation to streamline Registry operations 

By Temitope Omoniyi

A Deputy Registrar at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Dr Abdussobur Olayiwola Salaam, has recommended a technology audit and the development of a digital strategy to modernise Registry operations in the Nigerian university system.

Speaking as the Guest Lecturer at the 5th Annual Registry Lecture of the Registry Department, University of Ilorin last Monday (April 28, 2025), Dr. Salaam also emphasised the need for investing in technological infrastructure and mapping current processes to identify areas for streamlining and improvement.

In the lecture entitled “The Registry in Driving Institutional Change: Strategies for Registries to Lead Transformation in the University Administration”, Dr. Salaam, while painting a picture of the university’s past, present, and future, noted the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in accelerating the shift towards online learning.

He further projected a future where Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computing will revolutionise teaching, learning, and university administration, leading to increased international collaborations and a potential disruption of traditional Registry tasks.

The Guest Lecturer pointed out that the Registry serves as the fulcrum for translating plans into reality, making its role in driving institutional change indispensable. He submitted that “while we embrace technology, we must never forget that it is humans who drive technology and the difference between technology and humanity lies in our soft skills, adding that“no technology can replace the elements of compassion, empathy, emotional intelligence, creative thinking and very importantly, humanity.”

Dr. Salaam, who is also the Vice President (West) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), underscored the pivotal role of leadership, particularly the Registrar, in driving institutional change.

He pointed out that “everything rises and falls on leadership,” emphasising the need for visionary, strategic, and inclusive leadership that is capable of navigating challenges and promoting a culture of innovation.

“If the Registry is to effectively drive any change process that will be impactful, there has to be an attitudinal change in us, the Registry staff, “he submitted, adding that“this attitudinal change should be hinged on a strong effective service delivery culture with a multi-pronged approach, which focuses on prioritising the needs and expectations of stakeholders by being responsive to enquiries, providing clear and accurate information, and resolving issues promptly and in an efficient manner.”

According to Dr Salaam, “the key attitudinal qualities that should be imbibed include professionalism, courtesy and respect, empathy and understanding, patience and perseverance, and problem-solving skills.”

The Guest Lecturer echoed a popular national mantra, “change begins with me,” urging Registry staff to embrace an attitudinal shift towards a strong service delivery culture, characterised by professionalism, empathy, and problem-solving skills.

He said, “The beat of change is reverberating all over the world, I urge us to listen to the beat and adjust our dance steps to the beat of the music”, he added.

Earlier in his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, praised the Registrar’s leadership, noting its role in the transformational changes within the Registry. He also commended Mr Moses Opaleke, the Deputy Registrar for Academic Support Services (Exams and Records), for the noticeable improvements in transcript processing. Furthermore, he acknowledged the good work of the other Deputy Registrars in their respective units.

               In his remarks, the Registrar, Mr Mansur Alfanla, noted that the Registry had now digitised almost all of its processes, in line with the Vice-Chancellor’s smart campus agenda.

               As the University gets set for its 50th anniversary, the Registrar congratulated the institution and noted that this lecture could not have been better timed.

Mr Alfanla lauded the Guest Lecturer, whom he described as “a highly experienced administrator and an outstanding unionist”, adding that the University of Ilorin Registry was pleased to benefit from his talent.

The event also witnessed conferment of awards on some retired staff, who were deputy registrars of the Registry Department. They include Mrs Azumi Hajarat Adi, Mrs Muhibat Abeni Dourine Oladosu, Mr Abdulateef Sayuti, Mr Sam Olajugba, Mr Musilihudeen Salami Adegoke, and Mr Adam Abdulsalam.