Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), highlighted a significant trend impacting Nigerian academia.
The "japa" phenomenon, where Nigerians seek better opportunities abroad, has led to a marked increase in requests for academic transcripts from UNILAG alumni.
This surge is particularly notable among those who graduated 30 to 40 years ago.
Speaking at the 2024 International Week and the 17th Annual Research Conference, themed “Inclusive Digital Transformation and the University Promise,” Prof. Ogunsola explained, “People who graduated 30 or 40 years ago are now requesting transcripts, which requires us to dig through paper records.”
She contrasted this with the experience of more recent graduates, stating that those who finished their studies in 2010 and beyond face fewer issues due to the university's digital systems.
Despite UNILAG's commitment to digital transformation over the past five decades, Nigeria's persistent electricity challenges pose significant hurdles. Prof. Ogunsola noted, “Digital transformation is more than just a desire; it requires the right financial support and policy framework.”
Nevertheless, the implementation of a robust Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system has improved record management, easing the process for recent graduates.
Additionally, Prof. Ogunsola addressed the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in academia. She described AI as both a powerful tool and a potential challenge, emphasizing the need for developing critical skills to evaluate AI-generated information, which often includes a mix of accurate and misleading data.
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