EKSU Launches Digital Skills Drive to Train 650 Lecturers for AI-Driven Teaching Future

Ekiti State University (EKSU) has announced a large-scale digital transformation programme aimed at upgrading the competencies of its academic staff, as the institution intensifies efforts to align with global standards in teaching, learning, and research.

The initiative, known as Project Digi-Teach EKSU, was unveiled during the university’s 30th convocation ceremony by the Chancellor, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe. The programme is designed to train all 650 lecturers across faculties in essential digital skills for modern classroom delivery and academic engagement.

Dr. Olowolafe stated that the initiative reflects the university’s strategic response to the demands of the global knowledge economy, where digital fluency is now a core requirement for effective education delivery.

According to him, “A university that prepares students for the digital economy must itself be fluent in the digital world. You cannot teach what you do not know, and you cannot give what you do not have.”

He emphasized that the programme is inclusive and compulsory in design, ensuring that no academic staff member is excluded from the digital transition process. “Every member of the faculty will be brought forward,” he added.

The Chancellor noted that Project Digi-Teach builds on earlier interventions by the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation, which has supported international exposure for lecturers through sponsorship of academic conferences since 2024.

He also highlighted EKSU’s broader innovation agenda, including the EKSU Trading Room and Financial Market Trading Programme, which has been developed into a fully accredited diploma initiative offering students practical exposure to financial market operations in collaboration with the Faculty of Management Sciences.

In addition, Dr. Olowolafe disclosed that EKSU has secured international collaboration with Springpod, a UK-based career development platform. Through the partnership, students and alumni can access virtual work experience opportunities with global corporations such as Amazon, Barclays, Deloitte, and Rolls-Royce.

He explained that these initiatives are part of a deliberate strategy to produce graduates who are globally competitive, industry-ready, and digitally empowered.

“We are building EKSU graduates who are globally competitive, already credentialed, already investible, already ready,” he said.

The Chancellor urged graduating students to remain committed to discipline, integrity, and continuous learning as they transition beyond the university environment.

The announcement positions EKSU among Nigerian universities increasingly integrating digital literacy and industry partnerships into their academic frameworks to enhance graduate employability and institutional relevance.