Challenges in IT Asset Management in Nigerian Federal Universities: A Case Study of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

Effective IT asset management is essential for universities seeking to maximise the lifespan and value of technology investments while minimising security vulnerabilities arising from unmanaged or end-of-life hardware and software. This study examines the challenges of IT asset management at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, South West Nigeria, one of Nigeria's leading federal research institutions. A survey involving 65 IT support staff, departmental system administrators, and procurement officers was complemented by an inventory audit of 200 IT asset records. Challenges identified include the absence of a centralised IT asset register, inconsistent asset tagging practices, uncontrolled software installations on university-owned equipment, and the absence of a formal IT asset disposal policy compliant with environmental regulations. Asset tracking was found to rely primarily on departmental spreadsheets, resulting in an estimated 18 percent discrepancy between recorded and physically present assets. The study evaluates the applicability of the ISO/IEC 19770 IT asset management standard to the Nigerian public university context and identifies areas requiring contextual adaptation. Recommendations include implementation of an institution-wide IT asset management system, establishment of a centralised IT asset oversight committee, and integration of asset tracking with the university's financial management system. Keywords: IT asset management, federal university, Obafemi Awolowo University, IT governance, inventory control.