Lagos: The MTN Foundation and SAIL Innovation Lab on Thursday graduated 500 teachers trained in digital pedagogy, modern teaching methods, and responsible AI-assisted teaching. The graduands were drawn from 5,000 public primary and secondary school teachers selected nationwide for the MTN-SAIL Teachers Fellowship Programme, with the top 500 proceeding to intensive training.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Chairman Board of Directors, MTN Foundation, Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, emphasized the critical role teachers play as architects of Nigeria’s future. He noted that teachers contribute to national transformation by shaping lives and strengthening communities. Belo-Olusoga, represented by Mr. Innocent Entonu, General Manager for Sales and Promotions at MTN, shared a personal testament to the lasting influence teachers have, recalling his own experience with an impactful teacher.
The programme, a collaboration between MTN Foundation and SAIL Innovation Lab, aims to equip teachers with contemporary teaching methodologies, digital competencies, and skills necessary for a technology-driven world. Training included inquiry-based learning, learner-centred teaching, digital pedagogy, Google Classroom, and artificial intelligence, with a focus on fostering critical thinking and innovation among students.
Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, Co-founder of SAIL Innovation Lab, highlighted the fellowship’s training of over 10,000 teachers since its 2022 launch. She mentioned that 5,000 teachers participated in the initial phase, with the top 500 advancing to rigorous online training. The programme specifically targets public-school teachers due to their significant role in educating the majority of Nigerian children.
Abiru also noted that the current cohort received training in AI-assisted teaching through Microsoft, positioning them as pioneers in this field within Nigeria. She emphasized that each teacher’s potential impact extends to approximately 80 children annually, suggesting a reach of 400,000 children within a year. Abiru announced plans for an alumni network and additional resources to support the teachers’ ongoing development.
Mr. Olatubosun Alake, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, lauded the initiative’s focus on teacher development, highlighting its potential to multiply impacts across generations. He encouraged the graduates to integrate inquiry-based learning with digital tools to enhance educational outcomes.
Mrs. Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of MTN Foundation, discussed the foundation’s investment in capacity building and technology to improve education quality, while Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State commended the initiative’s contribution to a future-ready education system.
The graduation ceremony concluded with the presentation of laptops to outstanding teachers, reinforcing the programme’s commitment to empowering educators and fostering educational innovation across Nigeria.