The Federal Government has officially launched the pilot phase of the Teachers on Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programme to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to integrate AI-powered solutions into Nigeria’s education system. The initiative represents a major step in aligning teaching and learning with the demands of the 21st-century digital economy, with teachers of Federal Unity Colleges serving as the first beneficiaries.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olamuyiwa Enitan, emphasized the importance of technology in shaping the nation’s educational future. Represented by his Technical Aide, Mrs. Collins Callista, he said the programme would expose teachers to innovative AI-driven solutions that enhance teaching effectiveness and learning outcomes.
Enitan commended the International Community for Education Technology (ICEDT) for its role in advancing Nigeria’s educational development. He noted that Federal Unity Colleges hold a strategic position in the national education landscape, representing standards of quality, equity, and innovation.
He said, “I encourage all participants to actively engage in the training because the pilot phase is expected to generate reports that would guide the scaling up of the programme to all six geopolitical zones. The initiative is an open door to nationwide technological advancement in education and I call on teachers to make the most of the opportunity and emerge as champions who would extend the knowledge of AI in education to their peers.”
In her remarks, the Director of Education Support Services, Mrs. Larai Nana Ahmed, represented by the Deputy Director, School Support Division, Mrs. Ogbuke Njideka Dorothy, reiterated the ministry’s dedication to integrating digital technology into the education sector. She explained that the initiative aligns with the National EdTech Strategy and supports the Federal Government’s broader vision to prepare learners for a digital economy.
According to her, teachers play a central role in driving this transformation, which is why the programme begins with Federal Unity Colleges, known as the flagship of secondary education in Nigeria.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Head of Strategic Partnership and Learning Scientist at ICEDT, Dr. Abdurrahman Orasanye, described the project as a landmark achievement in the journey to transform education through innovation. He reaffirmed ICEDT’s commitment to collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to ensure Nigerian teachers gain the competencies needed to thrive in a digitally driven world.
