Most educators, administrators can’t utilise technological devices, Don says

A professor of Educational Administration and Planning, Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Samuel Ogunwale Ogundiran has posited that a number of educators and school administrators in Nigeria are still finding it difficult to transition from the traditional methods to the technology-driven solutions.

Ogundiran stated this on Thursday, September 19, 2024, while presenting the university’s 28th Inaugural Lecture, which took place at the NOUN headquarters in Abuja.

With the topic: “Educational Administration and Technology: A Marriage of Inconvenience,”
the lecturer, emphasised that despite the availability of technological devices, such as laptops and digital learning tools, issues like poor training, inadequate access to electricity, and unreliable internet connectivity continue to hamper effective use of such devices.

Ogundiran described his journey in adapting to technology, from struggling with basic computer tasks to now fully integrating technology into his work and acknowledged that not all educators have been as fortunate, with many still relying on outdated methods because of a lack of proper support and resources.

He urged educational institutions to invest in technological training for their staff, ensuring that all educators have the skills necessary to navigate a rapidly-evolving educational landscape.

The lecturer explained in 5 detail the benefits of technology in educational administration while also highlighting the inconveniences that arise from adopting technological innovations.

“Although technology should theoretically improve educational administration, the many deficiencies and complexities of the administrative system may hinder the full realisation of this ideal. As a result, the incompatibility between technology and educational administration may become more pronounced than the expected benefits.” he said.

The inaugural lecturer recommended improvements in technology adoption in educational administration, including addressing infrastructure, training, and financial motivation issues.

He urged policymakers to address the “marriage of inconvenience” between educational acquisition and technology, stressing that for Nigeria to progress, there needs to be a concerted effort to provide access, training, and support for educators and administrators to fully harness the power of technology in the classroom.

On his part, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, noted that NOUN has a custom like every other university all over the world to request, ask, and demand that one who has risen to the post of a professor renders to the university community and the society at large what he/she has accomplished in his/her academic journey.

Peters, who welcomed distinguished guests, faculty members, and students to the event, emphasised the importance of the inaugural lecture as a hallmark of academic excellence.

He lauded Professor Samuel Ogundiran, for his extensive contributions to the field, mentoring countless students and serving as a study centre director in various capacities, and stated that presenting an inaugural lecture is not only a tradition but a pivotal career moment for any academic, as it allows the professor to reflect on the his/her scholarly contributions.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, who offered the closing remarks, acknowledged the dedication of Professor Ogundiran and expressed gratitude to the management, staff, and guests for their participation.