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The Digital Higher Education Africa (DHEA) initiative has emerged as a driving force, aiming to tackle persistent challenges around access, affordability, and innovation. The initiative was spotlighted at the inaugural DHEA Summit held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, drawing major education and technology stakeholders from across the continent.
Themed “Digital Transformation in Further and Higher Education Institutions,” the summit was powered by Argyle IT & Education and featured robust discussions on how African institutions can lead—not follow—in developing digital learning infrastructure.
The event brought together participants from institutions including the University of Lagos, Miva Open University, Covenant University, Bowen University, University of Ibadan, Ekiti State University, Niger Delta University, LASUSTECH, Caleb University, Petroleum Training Institute, and Delaware’s Institute of Technology, among others.
Noteworthy figures in attendance included Opeyemi Ibukun, CEO, Argyle IT & Education; Prof. Wahab Egbewole, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin and Secretary-General, Association of West African Universities; and Sophia Ashipala, Head of Education at the African Union Commission.
In his keynote address, Ibukun emphasized that DHEA was conceived to empower African institutions to stop being consumers and start becoming creators of educational technology. “This initiative is about home-grown innovation. The next frontier in African higher education must be driven by African solutions that reflect our realities,” he said.
Ashipala, representing the AU Commission, painted a sobering picture: Africa’s digital enrollment in higher education sits at just 12%, a stark contrast to the global average of 85%. “This is unacceptable. Our digital future depends on a complete overhaul of how we teach, assess, and scale education,” she asserted, urging African leaders to act decisively.
Also addressing attendees, Hon. Yakubu Ibrahim Hamza, Special Adviser on Higher Education to the Bauchi State Governor, advocated for grassroots policy change. “Digital access must become a right, not a privilege,” he stated.
Other speakers, including Mrs. Remi George Ashiru of the Lagos State Ministry of Innovation and Technology, and Prof. Joseph Ayodele, Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, stressed the urgency of integrating artificial intelligence, green technology, and research infrastructure into Nigeria’s academic framework.
Professor Egbewole’s keynote on “Bridging the Digital Divide” highlighted the pressing need for broadband, power access, digital libraries, and teacher retraining. “Teachers must be digitally literate to prepare students for a world where information is currency,” he noted.
A standout session explored innovative funding for student internet access, citing an institution where students pay a ₦10,000 tech fee, enabling broadband for over 38,000 students. This was later expanded with power solutions for student hostels, addressing multiple pain points in one sweep.
A key takeaway from a panel on research visibility was the importance of quality over quantity. “To compete globally, African research must meet global standards. Visibility starts with value,” said a panelist.
Speakers urged scholars to expand beyond local publications, embrace data-driven research, and build a strong global academic presence.
DHEA used the summit to honor trailblazers in digital education, awarding entities such as Seplat Energy, Chevron, Shell, PTDF, MTN, NCDMB, LOJ Education, and Danvic Safety Solutions International for their contributions to e-learning, tech funding, and institutional leadership.
According to Matthew Ibukun, Chairman of Argyle IT & Education, the awards represent “a celebration of institutions shaping Africa’s digital education roadmap with integrity, vision, and results.”
The DHEA Summit 2025 laid a solid foundation for what will become an annual convening of Africa’s educational thought leaders. Plans are already underway for the DHEA Summit 2026, which promises to expand the initiative’s reach, scale pilot projects, and push for policy harmonization across African nations.
As Africa wrestles with a skills gap and limited infrastructure, DHEA offers a compelling alternative: a digitally inclusive, locally-driven education revolution poised to transform how African students learn, innovate, and compete globally.