Experts urge varsities to harness social media for academic learning

Experts urge varsities to harness social media for academic learning

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

Experts have called on Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions to make better use of social media for academic learning, research, and training.

The call was made at the recent closing ceremonies of the 2025 Advanced Digital Empowerment Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADEPTI), sponsored by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and organized by the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI).

The ADEPTI Centre Coordinator, Ezekiel Fagbemi, said social media should go beyond entertainment and be used as a tool to support education and skills development in higher institutions.

“There is a need for tertiary institutions to adopt new innovations and technology, particularly social media, in academic, skills-acquisition training, learning, and general education.

“Nigeria is still behind in integrating technology, especially new media, into academic and learning environments. More academic research is needed in this area to advance digital learning and education,” he said.

At the University of Ilesa, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Asaolu, commended the NCC and DBI for choosing the university for the training. He said the programme had improved the digital skills of both academic and non-academic staff.

“I extend my gratitude to the DBI team, led by Mr. Ezekiel Fagbemi, and the organizers for their dedication. Together, we are building a digitally empowered academic community capable of meeting 21st-century challenges,” the VC remarked.

Similarly, the Rector of the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo Ora, Prof. Akinola Akinlabi, said the training had helped the institution strengthen its ICT capacity.

A letter from the college’s management to the NCC and DBI, made available to The Guardian, expressed appreciation for the empowerment programme and appealed for more ICT resources.

“Like Oliver Twist, we are seizing this opportunity to request additional laptops and desktops. The 100 devices previously provided are grossly inadequate, given JAMB’s requirement that our ICT centre must have at least 250 laptops/desktops to retain accreditation for students taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME),” the letter read.

Fagbemi, while commending the enthusiasm of participants, urged institutions to continue exploring ways to apply social media and other digital tools to improve teaching, research, and innovation.