Speaker
Description
Kale, G. S.
College of Education Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
kalegbande0@gmail.com
Track: Digital Transformation in Higher Education
The transition to digital and hybrid learning has exacerbated the digital divide in Nigeria’s Colleges of Education, raising concerns about readiness for future-facing higher education ecosystems. This paper assesses digital infrastructure, internet connectivity, and policy implementation at the College of Education, Akwanga (Nasarawa State), as a case study of challenges in North Central Nigeria. Using institutional documents, TETFund/NCCE reports, and primary data from staff and students, the study examines ICT facility availability, campus internet access, electricity reliability, ownership of device, affordability of data, and levels of digital literacy. It also evaluates alignment with the National Digital Economy Policy and NCCE’s Benchmark and Minimum Academic Standards. Findings show that despite national policy frameworks, COE Akwanga faces gaps including inadequate computer laboratories, unstable campus Network, epileptic power supply, and limited lecturer capacity for e-pedagogy. The paper recommends solar-powered ICT hubs, public-private connectivity partnerships, zero-rated academic platforms, and continuous digital upskilling for lecturers to bridge the divide and reposition the College for future-ready education delivery.
Keywords: Digital divide, Colleges of Education, ICT infrastructure, policy implementation, future-ready ecosystems