A leading education technology organisation, Argyle IT & Education, has urged Nigeria to invest in tertiary education, saying it is a critical driver of innovation and economic growth.

The organisation also said higher education strengthens the entire education system, builds human capital for the workforce and helps retain talent.

The firm said this while addressing newsmen at an event held to mark the official launch of the Digital Higher Education in Africa, DHEA, Summit scheduled for June 19th & 20th.

Chief Executive Officer of Argyle IT & Education, Opeyemi Ibukun, urged Nigeria to take a cue from developing countries in investing in higher education.

Ibukun said: “One thing they (developed countries) have got right is higher education, with over 60 per cent of their population attending tertiary institutions, compared to less than 30 per cent in other regions. Higher education is a critical driver of innovation and economic growth. It strengthens the entire education system, builds human capital for the workforce, and helps retain talent.

“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.”

In her remarks, Chief Operating Officer of Argyle IT & Education, Solikume Joel, 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.

We began development in 2020 and, by 2022, institutions had already started using our platforms for their learning. The DHEA Summit is our way of bringing together educators, policymakers, vice chancellors, student voices, and the corporate sector to shape the future of education in Africa. There’s no better time than now.”

Meanwhile, the DHEA summit is set to bring together key stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and edtech organisations to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies that will redefine teaching, learning, and research across the continent.