Application of Cloud Computing Solutions in Nigerian Higher Education Institutions

Cloud computing adoption in Nigerian higher education institutions has accelerated since 2020 but remains uneven across regions, with limited professional evaluation of deployment models, governance arrangements, and academic outcome impacts. This study professionally assesses cloud computing adoption patterns and management outcomes in Nigerian higher education institutions. A structured survey was administered to 65 ICT directors, system administrators, and academic technology managers at universities and polytechnics across all six geopolitical zones. The survey covered cloud service models in use, governance arrangements, security concerns, cost implications, and academic outcome changes. Seven in-depth interviews with CIO-level professionals complemented the survey. Results indicate that 72 percent of institutions have adopted some cloud services, predominantly productivity suites (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365) and learning management platforms. Infrastructure-as-a-Service adoption is limited to 18 percent of institutions, constrained by concerns about data sovereignty and unreliable internet connectivity. Institutions without documented cloud governance policies report significantly higher security incidents. Cost savings are realised by 61 percent of cloud-adopting institutions, particularly through elimination of on-premises email and storage infrastructure. The study develops a Nigerian Higher Education Cloud Governance Framework addressing service procurement, data residency, security compliance, and vendor management, and recommends its adoption by the National Information Technology Development Agency as a minimum standard for tertiary institutions.

Keywords: cloud computing, higher education, Nigeria, IT governance, cloud adoption