Heads of Department Utilization of Artificial Intelligence for Administrative Automation in Public Universities in Cross River State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33687/ijef.003.04.00151Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Administrative Automation, Heads of Department, ICT Infrastructure, Digital TransformationAbstract
This study investigated the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for administrative automation by Heads of Department (HODs) in public universities in Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examined the extent of AI utilization, areas of departmental administration where AI is applied, factors influencing AI adoption, challenges faced by HODs, and strategies for improving AI integration. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from 298 HODs using a structured questionnaire titled Heads of Department Artificial Intelligence Utilization for Administrative Automation Questionnaire (HODAIUAAQ). The instrument’s reliability was established using Cronbach’s alpha, which yielded a coefficient of 0.87, indicating high internal consistency, while content validity was ensured through expert review by educational management and AI specialists. Data were analyzed using mean scores, standard deviations, and t-tests. Findings revealed that AI utilization for administrative automation is generally low, with minimal application in student records management, staff workload monitoring, and decision-making processes. Key factors influencing utilization included inadequate technical skills, poor ICT infrastructure, high software costs, resistance to change, and limited institutional support. The study recommends targeted training, ICT upgrades, funding for AI tools, policy formulation, and robust data security measures to enhance AI adoption. Effective integration of AI is concluded to have significant potential for improving departmental efficiency, transparency, and administrative effectiveness.
References
Ajino, O. S., Ojobe, O., & Uzoigwe, M. C. (2024). Application of artificial intelligence-based technologies in educational administration: Opportunities and challenges. SSR Journal of Artificial Intelligence (SSRJAI), 1(1), 27–32. Open Access.
Ategwu, P. O., Kenn-Aklah, F. U., Fanan, A. G., & Uzoigwe, M. C. (2022). Availability and utilization of instructional technologies in supervision in public secondary schools during the COVID-19 era in Cross River State, Nigeria. Global Journal of Educational Research, 21(2), 175–181.
Inah, R. A., Ekpang, P. O., & Uzoigwe, M. C. (2024). Bridging the digital divide: A study on the growth of digitalization through digital transformation in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Journal of Public Administration, Policy and Governance Research, 2(3), 53–62. https://jpapgr.com
Inah, R. A., Ekpang, P. O., & Uzoigwe, M. C. (2024). Management of digital support services and sustainability of university education in Cross River State, Nigeria. Journal of Public Administration, Policy and Governance Research, 2(2), 211–224.
Osim, R. O., & Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). Contemporary issues in school management. In N. N. Ukpong & M. C. Uzoigwe (Eds.), Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 204–211). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Paul, K. A., Uzoigwe, M. C., & Sunday, G. I. (2024). Managing distance education in Nigeria. In E. U. Etudor-Eyo & B. A. Akuegwu (Eds.), The primacy of planning for quality education: A Festschrift in honour of Prof. Charles Madubuchi Ogbodo (pp. 600–610). Uniuyo Printing Press and Digital Ltd.
Sunday, G. I., Afia, A. E., Essien, N. E., Inyang, S. A., Peters, V. A., & Uzoigwe, M. C. (2025). Smart school management: Integrating AI into instructional leadership for academic excellence. IRE Journal, 8(11), 694–708.
Sunday, G. I., Ifiok, M. I., Essien, N. E., & Blessed-Udo, I. (2025). Utilization of Nearpod technology in professional development practices and teachers’ service delivery in public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Iconic Research and Engineering Journals (IRE Journals), 8(9), 1157–1170.
Sunday, G. I., Sankey, R. S., Abiaeka, A. I., Anthony, B. L., Paul, U. E., & Uzoigwe, M. C. (2025). Impact of artificial intelligence in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (4) in tertiary institutions in South-South zone of Nigeria. International Journal of Sustainability, Disaster and Environmental Management, 1(2), 1–15.
Sunday, G. I., Umoren, I. E., Inyang, S. A., Afia, A. E., & Akpan, U. B. (2025). Heads of Department integration of Nearpod technology and administrative effectiveness in University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Iconic Research and Engineering Journals, 8(9), 932–939.
Ukpong, N. N. & Uzoigwe, M. C. (2019). Innovations in managing school community relations and principals’ administrative effectiveness: Implications for attainment of Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria. African Journal of Innovations and Reforms in Educational Management, 1(1), 503–512. https://www.researchgate.net
Ukpong, N. N., & Uzoigwe, M. C. (2021). Usage of 5G telecommunications technologies in educational management: A meta-analysis. In Application teaching techniques for revolutionising pedagogy in the era of knowledge economy (Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 102–114). Benchmark Educational Services.
Umoh, R. A., Uzoigwe, M. C., & Sunday, G. I. (2024). Application of Artificial Intelligence in Educational Planning. SSR Journal of Artificial Intelligence (SSRJAI), 1(1), 27–35. https://www.ssrpublisher.com/ssrjai/
Uzoigwe, C. C., & Onwochei, N. N. (2023). Application of Socrates’ philosophy of education in secondary school management. In Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 110–118). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2022). Faceless nature of educational management in Nigeria. In Undie, J. A., Babalola, J. B., Bello, B. A., & Nwankwo, I. N. (Eds.), Management of higher education systems. PhilPapers. https://philpapers.org
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). A model for analyzing sustainable development in educational management. In N. N. Ukpong & M. C. Uzoigwe (Eds.), Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 237–245). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). Application of George Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel’s philosophy of education in secondary school management. In N. N. Ukpong & M. C. Uzoigwe (Eds.), Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 119–126). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). Application of Jean Jacques Rousseau’s philosophy of education in secondary school management. In N. N. Ukpong & M. C. Uzoigwe (Eds.), Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 127–135). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). Educational system analysis in Nigeria. In N. N. Ukpong & M. C. Uzoigwe (Eds.), Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 439–447). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). Management of the emerging issues in higher education in Nigeria. In Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 220–227). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). Managing future-readiness and 21st-century skills in Nigerian schools. In N. N. Ukpong & M. C. Uzoigwe (Eds.), Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 457–464). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). Models of secondary school supervision in the 21st century. In Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 591–599). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). Quality assurance management in the school system. In N. N. Ukpong & M. C. Uzoigwe (Eds.), Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 253–260). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). Research and statistics in educational management. In N. N. Ukpong & M. C. Uzoigwe (Eds.), Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 289–296). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). Resource management in educational institution. In N. N. Ukpong & M. C. Uzoigwe (Eds.), Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 261–268). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). School mapping and facilities analyses. In N. N. Ukpong & M. C. Uzoigwe (Eds.), Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 276–282). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). Strategic planning: Development, implementation and roles of school administrators. In N. N. Ukpong & M. C. Uzoigwe (Eds.), Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 228–236). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). Utilization of digital resources in school management. In N. N. Ukpong & M. C. Uzoigwe (Eds.), Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 405–412). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C. (2023). Workload management in educational institutions. In Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 246–252). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C., & Adams, L. A. (2023). Evaluation in teaching: Implications for school management and learning. In N. N. Ukpong & M. C. Uzoigwe (Eds.), Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 196–203). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35
Uzoigwe, M. C., & Adams, L. A. (2023). Nexus of school plant management for goals attainment. In Collaborative approaches to educational management (pp. 162–169). University of Calabar Printing Press. https://unicalpress.unical.edu.ng/items/show/35.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Isong Blessing Edet (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
