Towards a “Paperless” Higher Education System in Nigeria: Concept, Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

This study attempted to seek the possibility of a paperless Higher Education system in Nigeria. It x-rayed the current system of information processing, dissemination and final storage in our school system. With the outcry of poor management of records, ineffective storage, ever increasing school population. The study sought to unravel the concept, challenges and prospects of the paperless school system as a means to solving the current challenges of record keeping in our school system. Technology adoption of information system management in the system was seen as a means to an end of the ineffective management of records, poor storage and retrieval, slow rate of delivery and low consumption of the intended message as a challenge affecting the current record system in our Higher Education institutions. The study established that the paperless system is a 21st century trend and should be embraced by our higher system of knowledge, the adoption of technology in information processing will make information faster, cheaper, increased audience, better retrieval of stored messages. It will not make the workforce jobless, productive-less, effortless and initiative-less. The study identified areas to begin the paperless system to include; Senate proceedings, staff appraisals, student registration, examination, bulletin production and full automation of the Examination and Records division. The reality of a paperless school system can be achieved sooner than its application in the school system with committed efforts by management, decision makers/implementation personnel and the general school system. Information must be accessed efficiently (speed) and efficiently (better sourcing of information). As technology advances, higher education system which is the driver of knowledge should advance technologically.