Speaker
Description
Kolomi, A. U.
Umar Ibn Ibrahim El-kanemi College of Education Science and Technology, Bama, Borno State
alkolmi@gmail.com
Track: Sustainability and the Future
The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has transformed the global landscape of education, employment and innovation, where digital competency has become the most essential aspect of sustainable development. Higher education institutions across Africa are increasingly expected to produce graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills and competencies required to thrive in a digitally driven and knowledge-based economy. However, many higher institutions of learning across Africa, particularly colleges and polytechnics, continue to face challenges associated with inadequate digital infrastructure, limited technological access, curriculum obsolescence and insufficient digital literacy amongst both students and lecturers. This paper examines the role of digital skills of future-ready graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to sustainable development and the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs). The paper attempts to analyse the relationship between digital transformation, employability of future graduates, innovation and sustainable development in higher institutions of learning. The study identifies key barriers to digital skills acquisition and proposes strategic interventions for strengthening digital capacity within African higher education institutions. The paper concludes that integrating digital skills into higher education curricula is essential for building resilient, innovative, and globally competitive graduates capable of addressing Africa’s developmental challenges.