The Chartered Institute of Professional Secretarial Staff of Nigeria (CIPSSON), FUTA branch has advocated for more training for members in 2026 by the University management of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). This request was made during the institute’s branch annual get-together and retirement celebration held at the T. I Francis Auditorium, FUTA. The president of CIPSSON FUTA branch, Bunmi Ajayi, emphasized that exposure to more training would enhance development of better skills and professional effectiveness.
Ajayi also pleaded for a better career advancement. The CIPSSON FUTA branch president stressed the importance of such opportunities for career advancement and professional growth, urging the University management to consider their request.
As part of the event , a lecture titled “Career Enhancement for 21st Century Secretaries”, was delivered by the Director of the Institute of Technology -Enhanced and Digital Humanities (INTEDH), Professor Titilola Adebayo. She emphasized the importance of upscaling digital skills for secretaries. She highlighted that 21st-century secretaries must prioritize acquiring digital skills to replace traditional methods, leveraging resources like AI to enhance their work efficiency and facilitate remote work.
The Director stressed that secretaries should be tech-savvy, adaptable, proactive, and collaborative, with excellent communication skills and a focus on flexibility and work-life balance. This can be achieved through constant learning and professional development. She encouraged secretarial professionals to enroll in courses at INTEDH and gain proficiency in Google Workspace, MS Office, email etiquette, cloud storage, and communication skills while leveraging on personal branding especially on LinkedIn to enhance their professional presence.
The Director emphasized that acquiring these skills will lead to increased efficiency, reduced time spent on routine tasks, and enable secretaries to focus on complex responsibilities. This, in turn, will result in reduced errors, improved accuracy, and enhanced speed, ultimately contributing to the success of the university organization.
Also Speaking during the event, The Post Graduate Coordinator, (INTEDH), Dr. Oluwayemisi Adebomi, who delivered a lecture titled “Career Opportunities for Secretaries”, highlighting the crucial role secretaries play in providing high-level administrative support to management and establishments. She emphasized that secretaries are instrumental in ensuring the smooth operation of organizations, and their importance cannot be overstated.
However, Dr. Adebomi noted that secretaries face challenges in the digital age, including data compromise, which can affect the confidentiality of documents. She stated that with the increasing digitalization of information, there is a growing risk of unauthorized access to personal or confidential information, making it essential for secretaries to be vigilant. The Postgraduate Coordinator encouraged secretaries to undergo training to learn how to manage their data effectively, stating that the ability to navigate the changes brought about by the digital age would make them more professional and proficient in their roles.
To address these challenges, Dr. Adebomi encouraged secretaries to take advantage of training opportunities at INTEDH, which offers courses in technical communication, data literacy, security intelligence, and data management. She noted that INTEDH also offers postgraduate diploma courses and online training programs, providing secretaries with flexible options to upgrade their skills.
Dr. Adebomi also encouraged secretaries to consolidate their previous training and experiences, which would enable them to stay up-to-date in their professional duties and contribute effectively to their organizations.
In her address, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Professor Adenike Oladiji represented by Director, Centre for Gender Issues in Science and Technology (CEGIST), Professor Mary Olowokere, emphasized the vital role of secretaries in the university community. She noted that secretaries are instrumental in shaping the image of an organization and serve as gatekeepers of communication, facilitating the smooth operation of the university. Olowokere commended the secretaries for their dedication and thanked the retirees for their selfless service, acknowledging their contributions to the university’s success and the positive impact of their work for staff members.
During the event, an award was presented to a retiree, Akinibi Victoria, who served as a Chief Secretarial Assistant at the Department of Information System, School of Computing (SOC), FUTA upon retirement.
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