Adoption of Paperless Office Systems in the Academic Registry of University of Calabar, Cross River State

This study examines the adoption and effectiveness of paperless office systems in the Academic Registry of the University of Calabar in Cross River State, within Nigeria's South South geopolitical zone. The paperless office concept, driven by environmental sustainability goals and efficiency imperatives, involves the systematic reduction of physical document processing through digital substitutes. The research uses a case study design, targeting registry officers, data entry clerks, and the Registrar's administrative team. Data are collected through structured questionnaires, system usage logs, and unstructured interviews. The Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) Framework provides the theoretical foundation, supported by literature from 2020 to 2024 on paperless office adoption in Nigerian higher education. The study investigates the extent of paperless adoption, the technology infrastructure available, and barriers such as electricity supply instability, resistance to change, and data protection concerns. Staff perceptions of workflow improvements attributable to reduced paper dependence are also examined. Recommendations target the University Council, the Registrar's office, and the National Universities Commission. This research adds to the limited body of work on digital transformation in Nigerian university administration. Keywords: paperless office, academic registry, University of Calabar, digital adoption, higher education