The Federal Government has officially received and handed over Information and Communication Technology equipment and materials to 15 Federal and State Colleges of Education across the six geopolitical zones to strengthen teacher training, promote digital literacy, and improve access to quality education.
- +FG distributes ICT equipment to 15 colleges of education
The handover ceremony, held in Abuja on Tuesday, was facilitated through support from the Government of Japan and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa under the project, ‘Capacity-building of Teachers to Promote Continuous and Inclusive Access to Safe and Quality Education for Girls in West Africa.’
The handover ceremony, held in Abuja on Tuesday, was facilitated through support from the Government of Japan and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa under the project, ‘Capacity-building of Teachers to Promote Continuous and Inclusive Access to Safe and Quality Education for Girls in West Africa.’
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, described the intervention as a significant contribution to the education sector and aligned with the ministry’s strategic priorities.
Ahmad commended UNESCO-IICBA, the Government of Japan, and the African Union for launching the regional project in March 2024, noting that it demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening teacher preparation systems and expanding educational opportunities, particularly for girls.
She said the project, which covers Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Nigeria, aligns with the “Federal Ministry of Education’s priorities under the Renewed Hope Agenda, especially in the areas of equity, quality, digital transformation, and inclusive education.”
“Teachers remain the backbone of every education system. No education reform can succeed without well-trained, motivated, and digitally empowered teachers,” the minister stated.
According to her, the ICT resources will enhance both pre-service and in-service teacher training through improved access to digital learning content, innovative teaching methods, and learner-centred instructional approaches.
The 15 beneficiary institutions include the Federal College of Education, Kontagora; Federal College of Education, Zaria; Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe; Federal College of Education, Yola; Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba; Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo State; Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze; College of Education, Zuba; Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education; Enugu State College of Education (Technical); Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso-Kano; Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu; Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto; Adamawa State College of Education, Hong; and Taraba State College of Education, Zing.
The equipment handed over includes 65 laptop computers, 71 tablets, four desktop computers, five interactive smart boards, 19 all-in-one desktop computers, 14 projectors, 15 printers, and 15 backup hard drives.
Ahmad noted that the event also served as a platform to discuss school safety and infrastructure security.
“Safe schools are essential to achieving quality education, especially for girls and vulnerable learners.
“We must continue to ensure that our institutions remain secure, supportive, and conducive spaces for teaching and learning,” the Prof. stated.
She further highlighted the ministry’s focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Out-of-School Children Education, Girl-Child Education, Quality Assurance, and Data and Digitisation.
The minister also announced additional interventions, including projects focused on empowering female teachers and school leaders through mobile-based learning and integrating out-of-school children into formal education.
Also speaking, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan, Hitoshi Kozaki, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting education development in Nigeria.
“I want to thank Nigeria for the collaboration that we have had with you for many years. And I really hope that this project makes a difference for the future and the institutions that we have here,” Kozaki said.
He stressed that Japan’s partnership with African countries is built on mutual respect and local ownership.
“We do not seek to impose solutions from outside. Rather, we work alongside African governments, institutions, and communities as they pursue their own development values,” the Chargé d’Affaires noted.
Kozaki noted that the true value of the ICT equipment would be measured by how effectively the institutions deploy the resources to improve teacher preparation and expand learning opportunities, particularly for girls.
On behalf of UNESCO-IICBA, Director Quentin Wodon praised Nigeria’s commitment to education reforms and efficient participation in international education programmes, adding that “teachers in Nigeria are very important to us.”
Wodon stressed the importance of female leadership in schools, noting that evidence shows positive learning outcomes when women occupy leadership positions.
“If there was one thing I would love Nigeria to do, and I don’t know if that’s feasible or not, is to see whether we could launch some kind of programme to encourage more women to become school leaders. It is really important,” he advised.
