The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening teacher education and advancing digital learning with the handover of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment and instructional materials to 15 Colleges of Education across the country.
The intervention, implemented in partnership with the Government of Japan, UNESCO’s International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA), and the African Union, forms part of a regional initiative being executed in six African countries to promote continuous, inclusive, and safe access to quality education for girls.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and key education priorities, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, digital transformation, and efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
According to the minister, teachers remain at the heart of education reform and national development, making investments in teacher training and capacity building critical to improving learning outcomes.
She disclosed that the equipment distributed to the beneficiary institutions includes laptops, tablets, desktop computers, smart boards, projectors, printers, and data storage systems designed to enhance digital teaching and learning.
Ahmad added that the programme also incorporates capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening ICT integration in classrooms, promoting inclusive teaching practices, and improving school safety standards.
“The provision of these resources will support modern teaching methodologies and equip educators with the skills needed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital learning environment,” she said.
Representatives of UNESCO-IICBA, the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), and the Embassy of Japan commended Nigeria’s efforts toward improving teacher education and expanding access to quality learning opportunities.
The development partners reaffirmed their commitment to supporting initiatives focused on teacher professional development, girls’ education, and the creation of safe and inclusive learning environments.
The Federal Ministry of Education urged the beneficiary colleges to ensure the effective utilization and maintenance of the facilities to maximise their impact on teacher preparation and educational outcomes across the country.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the capacity of teacher-training institutions and accelerate the integration of technology into teaching and learning, particularly in underserved communities.
