The Federal Government of Nigeria has received a major boost in its drive to strengthen teacher education and digital learning. The Government of Japan, through the UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA), donated ICT equipment and learning materials to 15 teacher training institutions across the country.
Handover Ceremony in Abuja
Speaking at the official handover ceremony held at the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the intervention as a significant contribution to improving teacher quality, digital literacy, and inclusive education. She said the donation is part of a regional initiative launched in 2024 by UNESCO-IICBA, the Government of Japan, and the African Union to strengthen teacher training and promote continuous access to safe, quality education for girls in West Africa.
According to the minister, the project covers Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, and Mauritania, and aligns with the Federal Ministry of Education’s priorities under the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in equity, quality education, digital transformation, and inclusion.
Importance of Teachers
“Teachers remain the backbone of every education system. No education reform can succeed without well-trained, motivated, and digitally empowered teachers,” Ahmad said, noting that the equipment would modernise teacher training institutions and improve access to digital learning resources.
Beneficiary Institutions
The beneficiaries comprise 15 federal and state colleges of education spread across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, including:
- 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
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze
- College of Education, Zuba, FCT
- Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education
- Enugu State College of Education (Technical)
- Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kano
- Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu
- Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto
- Adamawa State College of Education, Hong
- Taraba State College of Education, Zing
Donated Items
The donated items include 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 said the facilities would enhance both pre-service and in-service teacher training by promoting innovation, digital competence, and learner-centred teaching approaches, while preparing educators for a technology-driven world.
School Safety Consultation
The event also featured a national consultation on school safety and infrastructure security, with participants discussing strategies for creating safer and more inclusive learning environments. The minister stressed that safe schools remain critical to achieving quality education, particularly for girls and other vulnerable learners, adding that the ministry would continue to prioritise policies and programmes aimed at strengthening school security.
Key Pillars for Education
Ahmad further highlighted the ministry’s focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), girl-child education, quality assurance, data management, and digital transformation as key pillars for improving educational outcomes nationwide. She also disclosed plans to implement new interventions aimed at empowering female teachers and school leaders in crisis situations through mobile-based learning platforms, as well as programmes designed to integrate out-of-school children into formal education.
Commitment from Partners
She commended UNESCO-IICBA, the Government of Japan, the African Union, and other development partners for supporting teacher education in Nigeria and urged beneficiary institutions to utilise the equipment responsibly to improve learning outcomes and build a more resilient education system. “The equipment will enhance digital literacy among our pre-service teachers and boost the attainment of education goals in Nigeria,” she said.
In their separate remarks, the Director of UNESCO-IICBA, Dr. Quentin Wodon, and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria, Hitoshi Kozaki, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting efforts aimed at improving teacher education and expanding access to quality learning opportunities across Nigeria and the West African region. They noted that the donation reflects the shared commitment of UNESCO, the Government of Japan, and their partners to strengthening the capacity of teacher training institutions, particularly in digital learning. According to them, equipping teachers with modern technological skills is critical to improving learning outcomes and ensuring that education systems are responsive to 21st-century demands.
