Abuja: The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated a groundbreaking program to train approximately 11,700 teachers in Federal Unity Colleges in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This move follows the signing of an agreement to implement a nationwide AI Teacher Capacity Development Programme.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, confirmed this in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja. The initiative aims to equip educators with vital digital competencies that will enhance lesson delivery, classroom assessments, and overall learning outcomes.
The Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with ICEDT Consult Limited, will oversee the program’s implementation. This initiative is expected to benefit thousands of students by integrating AI into teaching and learning processes. The Director of Education Support Services Department, Mr. Gabriel Amudipe, emphasized that this strategic investment in teacher development is aligned with the federal government’s commitment to digital transformation in education under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Amudipe highlighted the success of a pilot program as a driving force for the nationwide expansion and praised ICEDT Consult Limited’s zonal implementation strategy. He stressed the importance of maintaining the quality standards achieved during the pilot phase and called for ministry officials to ensure strict adherence to the program’s terms.
The Deputy Director of the Education Support Services Department, Mr. Oladele Fapohunda, described the program as a strategic intervention aimed at enhancing teachers’ capacity and fostering digital innovation across Federal Unity Colleges. He underscored the importance of effective collaboration among stakeholders for the program’s successful implementation.
Dr. Abdulrahman Orosanya, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Learning Scientist at ICEDT Consult Limited, shared insights from the pilot conducted in six Federal Unity Colleges, which demonstrated AI’s potential to significantly improve lesson planning, classroom instruction, and teacher productivity. The pilot’s success led to the ministry’s approval for a nationwide rollout, aiming to bolster teachers’ digital skills and support the government’s vision of a technology-driven education system.