Major stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, industry leaders and edtech organisations, are to convene a summit aimed at transforming Africa’s higher education landscape through digital innovation.

Packaged by a leading education technology organisation, Argyle IT & Education, the event will be held between June 19 and 20 to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies that would redefine teaching, learning, and research across the continent.

Speaking at a virtual press conference, Chief Operating Officer of Argyle IT & Education, Solikume Joel, explained that the programme is to gather thoughts from experts on how to promote huge investment in Africa’s higher education space, as well as to address critical issues like funding challenges, and technology that can help the institutions to perform well.

He said: “DHEA was born out of a shared need we identified in the education sector through our work at Argyle IT & Education, a career-focused education technology company committed to transforming how education is delivered and careers are shaped in Nigeria and across Africa. We saw a gap in conversations around the real challenges facing education, and a need to spotlight what’s working while growing the digital higher education space.”

On prioritising higher education and its impact on the nation’s socio-economic development, Chief Executive Officer of Argyle IT & Education, Opeyemi Ibukun, stressed that higher education is a critical driver of innovation and economic growth of any nation, pointing out that one of the key achievements of developing countries is their strong investment in higher education, with over 60 per cent of their population enrolled in tertiary institutions, significantly higher than the less than 30 per cent enrolment rate seen in other regions.

He further noted that Nigeria requires holistic revamp not just in tech but through higher education, emphasising that higher education is instrumental in improving some of the challenges facing the country.
“It is essential to recognise that the economic potential unlocked by higher education can, in turn, generate the funding needed to improve basic education. DHEA aims to address key challenges in the sector, including funding gaps, infrastructure deficits, the need for upskilling and capacity building, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders—while also exploring monetisation opportunities for universities,” he said.
In his remarks, Director of i-Flow Energy Holdings, Prof. Babajide Oyeneyin, highlighted the importance of digital transformation in advancing research and future development.
He encouraged the education sector to leverage big data and artificial intelligence for predictive analysis, which could accelerate digital adoption and foster meaningful progress in Nigeria’s education system.
“It’s about looking into the future and building on existing foundations to move ahead in development,” Professor Oyeneyin stated.
Managing Director of Danvic Petroleum, Dr. Mayowa Afe, on his part, stressed the need for public-private partnerships to fund initiatives aimed at bridging infrastructure and skills gaps in the country.
“To truly transform education, we must invest in scalable digital infrastructure and equip both educators and students with the skills they need to thrive,” he noted.
Also, the Managing Director of LOJ International Education, Dr. Jide Olufuyi, underscored the need to democratise access to education, adding that remote learning and global connectivity are revolutionising collaboration among students and teachers, making education more cost-effective and accessible.