LAUTECH VC Urges HR Professionals to Embrace Automation and Digital Strategy

The Vice-Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Professor Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu, has challenged Human Resource professionals and managers across Nigeria to adopt comprehensive digital transformation strategies that align with their organisations’ long-term goals.

He stressed that technology must no longer be treated as an optional tool but as a central driver of modern workforce management.

Professor Kalilu gave the charge while delivering a lecture as Guest Speaker at the maiden Public Lecture of the Ogbomoso Chapter of the Oyo State Branch of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Managers of Nigeria. His lecture, titled “Management of People in the Era of Technology,” focused on how digital innovation is reshaping Human Resource practice globally and within Nigeria.

The Vice-Chancellor explained that technology has become a key force redefining how organisations attract, develop, motivate, and retain talent. He noted that the integration of digital tools such as Human Resource Information Systems, Artificial Intelligence, automation, analytics, and cloud-based platforms has significantly improved efficiency, accuracy, and the strategic value of HR functions.

He identified Human Resource Information Systems as one of the major technological pillars supporting HR operations, explaining that such platforms have simplified core administrative tasks including payroll processing, staff records management, attendance tracking, and benefits administration.

According to him, electronic recruitment platforms and AI-driven hiring tools now enable organisations to reach wider talent pools while improving the speed and accuracy of recruitment and selection processes. He added that Human Resource Analytics now provides data-driven insights that strengthen decision-making in performance management, workforce planning, and employee turnover prediction.

Professor Kalilu further highlighted the role of digital learning platforms, virtual training systems, and knowledge-management tools in making employee development more flexible, accessible, and personalised. He stated that these innovations are redefining capacity building and professional growth within organisations.

While acknowledging the transformative impact of digital technologies on Human Resource Management in Nigeria, the Vice-Chancellor noted that many organisations still struggle with challenges such as poor infrastructure, high implementation costs, low digital literacy, and resistance to technological change. He urged HR leaders to confront these barriers with deliberate planning, sustained investment, and continuous skills development.

He concluded by reiterating that organisations that fail to embed technology into their people-management strategies risk falling behind in productivity, competitiveness, and innovation in the rapidly evolving digital economy.