Digitalization of academic activities as a nexus of sustainable development of university education in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the digitalization of academic activities as a nexus for the sustainable development of university education in Nigeria. The study specifically sought to determine the extent to which digitalization of academic activities predicts sustainable development in universities, guided by two research questions and two hypotheses. A correlational research design was adopted, and the population comprised 6,800 academic staff from public universities in Cross River State. A total of 300 academic staff were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire, Digitalization of Academic Activities and Sustainable Development of University Education Questionnaire (DAASDUEQ), administered both physically and online. The instrument was validated by experts in administration in higher education and measurement and evaluation, and demonstrated high reliability with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.87 and 0.92. Data were analyzed using simple linear regression. Findings revealed that the digitalization of academic activities significantly predicts sustainable development in university education. Based on these findings, it is recommended that universities invest in adequate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and digital tools to support academic staff in teaching, learning, and research activities. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence of the link between digitalization and sustainable development, highlighting the critical role of technology in enhancing higher education outcomes in Nigeria.