Northwest University Kano Hosts Second Professorial Inaugural Lecture

Northwest University Kano marked a significant milestone in its academic journey with the delivery of its Second Professorial Inaugural Lecture.

The event, held on Monday, September 29, 2025, at the Professor Hafiz Abubakar Auditorium, City Campus, featured Professor Peter Ayoola Ajelabi, a renowned scholar in Educational Technology.

Professor Ajelabi's lecture, titled "What Has the Digital Divide Reality Got to Do Across Continents in Higher Education Environments?" shed light on the pressing challenges posed by the digital divide in higher education. He highlighted the disparity between developed nations, such as the United Kingdom, which have fully integrated technology into their educational systems, and Nigerian universities, which face infrastructural and socio-economic limitations.

The professor emphasized the importance of educational technology as a practical and evolving discipline, dispelling misconceptions about its scope that have hindered its adoption in Nigeria. Drawing from his extensive research and professional experience, Professor Ajelabi illustrated the significant gap in digital literacy, internet access, and modern tool application in higher education.

He warned that Nigerian universities' inability to bridge this gap has reduced their global competitiveness, limited student career opportunities, and deterred international students and staff. To address this, Professor Ajelabi recommended increased awareness of digital literacy, continuous staff training, and full e-compliance in university operations. He also suggested introducing computer competency tests as a prerequisite for admission into higher institutions in Nigeria.

The ceremony was attended by the university community, with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mukhtar Atiku Kurawa, formally presenting the lecture. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Samira Abdullahi Bello, Head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction Studies.

This inaugural lecture reaffirmed Northwest University Kano's commitment to scholarly excellence and intellectual engagement, showcasing the institution's dedication to advancing knowledge and addressing pressing issues in education.