Lagos, Nigeria – A former Registrar of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Taiwo Ipaye, has called on university administrators to urgently adopt new digital skills and rethink traditional roles to remain relevant in an evolving academic environment driven by technology.
Ipaye made this assertion on Thursday while delivering a lecture at the Second Registry Lecture Series of Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, themed ‘Digital Disruption and the Registry Workforce: Rethinking Roles, Repositioning Capacity and Building Future Readiness’.
She described the registry as the administrative backbone of every university, stressing that administrators remain central to policy formulation, planning, student affairs, human resource management and institutional development.
“The university system cannot function effectively without the efforts of administrators,” she said.
Ipaye noted that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated digital transformation across higher institutions, making virtual platforms and technology-driven systems indispensable for both academic and administrative operations.
According to her, tools such as Zoom, WhatsApp and Telegram, initially adopted as emergency solutions, have now become permanent features in university administration.
“What began as a crisis response has become the new normal,” she said.
She further explained that emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, automation, cloud computing and data analytics are reshaping administrative systems globally, transforming registry functions into integrated, data-driven operations.
The former registrar emphasised that this shift requires administrators to take on new roles as digital record managers, systems operators and information governance specialists.
“Employees are now custodians of digital systems and data integrity,” she noted.
Ipaye stressed that institutional success in the digital era would depend more on workforce capability and adaptability than on staff numbers, advocating continuous training and strategic partnerships to build digital competencies.
She identified key skills required for modern administrators to include digital literacy, data management, problem-solving abilities and adaptability.
Ipaye, however, expressed concern over widening digital skills gaps caused by rapid technological changes, inadequate training and resistance to innovation, warning that such challenges could undermine institutional efficiency.
She urged universities to build future-ready registry systems through integrated digital platforms, strong 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, the Chairperson of the event, Prof. Oyedunni Arulogun, noted that digital disruption has transformed workplaces, making technological competence and adaptability essential for professional relevance and sustainability.
Arulogun, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, urged registry personnel to embrace continuous learning and innovation.
“We must remain open-minded, continuously upgrade our skills, embrace innovation and leverage technology effectively to ensure sustained relevance and excellence,” she said.
Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University, Prof. Clement Kolawole, emphasised that digital transformation has fundamentally changed university administration, urging professionals to acquire relevant technological skills or risk becoming obsolete.
“To survive in today’s university registry system, professionals must embrace technology, develop relevant competencies and continuously adapt,” Kolawole said.
Also speaking, the Registrar of Trinity University, Mr. David Oyejide, said the lecture would promote intellectual engagement and professional development within Nigeria’s higher education system.
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He reaffirmed the registry’s role as the “heartbeat” of the university, stressing 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.
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