Nigerian Professors of Computer Science Still Analogue, Says Okebukola

Emma Okonji

The former Executive Secretary, National University Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, has decried the low level of digital literacy among some Nigerian professors of Computer Science, describing them as analogue professors in the digital era.

Citing the 2020 report on the state of university in Nigeria, Okebukola said the report exposed most of the professors of Computer Science because they are still analogue professors who lack digital skills. He said the report also exposed universities who claim that they provide internet services for their students when actually they do not.

Okebukola made the disclosure yesterday, while presenting a keynote paper at a webinar organised by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS).

According to Okebukola, “Teachers in the universities need to improve on their digital literacy skills. Most professors of Computer Science in Nigerian universities are analogue and do not have digital computer skills. Some years back when I was directing a virtual studio, I noticed that some professors of Computer Science are analogue professors. One will lament on noticing the low digital skill level of some of our professors of Computer Science but not all of them. Their students are even far ahead of them.

“There is therefore, urgent need to revise the university curriculum and re-focus it on digital literacy. I am happy that the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) is organising training programmes for university teachers to enhance their digital literacy skills. NUC has come up with a new curriculum and digital literacy is the major component of the new curriculum. This is important because the acquisition of digital literacy skills is very important to every student, irrespective of their disciplines.”

Speaking about the importance of the new curriculum for schools, Okebukola said the digital literacy aspect of the new curriculum, made it a good trigger for the acquisition of relevant educational skills in schools. He equally stressed the need for refresher courses for teachers at all levels of education, including university education, adding that the professors at the universities need to update their digital skills.

Okebukola also stressed the need for local content development across all learning centres, adding that the use of local contents in teaching and learning, will make the students learn faster with high level of retention on what have been thought. “I hate to see images and learning tools that are alien being displayed on power point presentations, because such will not impart good knowledge on the students. Teachers should be innovative enough in today’s digital era to use indigenous contents for their teaching aids and tools,” Okebukola said.

The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who was represented by Mohammed Mahmud, said the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to place priority on Information Technology (IT) in education and e-learning.

Other speakers who made presentations at the NCS organised conference, spoke on how to reinforce virtual learning environment in a digital era, as well as the new waves of innovation in computing and information technology training.

In his welcome address, the President of NCS, Prof. Adesina Sodiya, called on Nigerians to embrace digital education and to make use of technology to drive Nigeria’s educational system.