Evaluation of automated services in Nigerian universities

Purpose To evaluate the status of automated information services in selected Nigerian universities with a view to identifying progress and prospects of, and constraints to, the technological transformation of Nigerian universities as the basis of strategic recommendations to the different stakeholders in Nigerian university education. Design/methodology/approach The study assessed the status of automated information systems and services in Nigerian universities in mid-2002 through site visits, and questionnaire and interview surveys of the views of administrators, teaching/non-teaching staff, students and researchers in the universities. Findings It was found that automated services were far from adequate and that, out of the 29 different automated services that one would expect in a modern university, only about 40 per cent were available and utilized. Federal universities that had enjoyed higher levels of funding for automated systems had higher output of automated services than the non-federal universities. Major obstacles militating against the automated services in the universities include inadequate funds, electricity supply and telecommunications connectivity, as well as inadequate human resources for the automated systems. Respondents were marginally satisfied with the services of the computerized accounting system and the MIS-related databases, but were very dissatisfied with the level of automated library services. Originality/value Clearly presents the challenges facing the Nigerian university system and individual Nigerian universities in the process of automating their operations.