FUTA Experts Stress Digital Skills as Key to Secretarial Effectiveness at Annual CIPSSON Gathering

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) hosted the annual get-together and retirement celebration of the Chartered Institute of Professional Secretarial Staff of Nigeria (CIPSSON), FUTA branch, at the T.I. Francis Auditorium, where experts highlighted the critical role of digital skills in enhancing secretarial efficiency.

During the event, CIPSSON FUTA branch President, Bunmi Ajayi, urged the University management to provide increased training opportunities for secretaries in 2026. Ajayi emphasized that such programs would not only improve professional effectiveness but also facilitate career advancement.

A central feature of the event was a lecture titled “Career Enhancement for 21st Century Secretaries” delivered by Professor Titilola Adebayo, Director of the Institute of Technology-Enhanced and Digital Humanities (INTEDH). She emphasized that modern secretaries must prioritize digital proficiency, replacing traditional practices with technology-driven methods, including artificial intelligence tools, cloud storage, and remote work solutions. Professor Adebayo underscored the importance of adaptability, proactive communication, collaboration, and personal branding—especially through platforms like LinkedIn—to strengthen professional presence. She noted that these skills would enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and allow secretaries to focus on complex administrative responsibilities, ultimately contributing to the institution’s success.

The Postgraduate Coordinator at INTEDH, Dr. Oluwayemisi Adebomi, also delivered a lecture, “Career Opportunities for Secretaries,” highlighting secretaries’ vital role in ensuring organizational smoothness. She addressed emerging challenges in the digital age, including data compromise and unauthorized access to confidential information. Dr. Adebomi encouraged secretaries to engage in professional development through INTEDH’s courses in technical communication, data literacy, security intelligence, and online postgraduate programs, stressing that continuous learning is crucial for maintaining professional relevance.

Representing FUTA Vice-Chancellor Professor Adenike Oladiji, Professor Mary Olowokere, Director of the Centre for Gender Issues in Science and Technology (CEGIST), commended the secretaries for their contributions to the university. She described secretaries as key facilitators of organizational communication and image, noting their pivotal role in the smooth functioning of university operations.

The event also celebrated retirees, with awards presented to staff members including Akinibi Victoria, Chief Secretarial Assistant at the Department of Information Systems, School of Computing (SOC), FUTA, in recognition of her years of dedicated service.

The gathering reaffirmed FUTA’s commitment to empowering secretarial staff with digital competencies and professional growth opportunities to meet the demands of modern administrative roles.