The Federal Government has concluded arrangements to hand over Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to 15 federal and state Colleges of Education under a Japanese-supported education intervention aimed at improving access to safe and quality education especially for girls in Nigeria and other West African countries.
The intervention, funded by the Government of Japan through UNESCO-International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa forms part of the project titled, “Capacity-building of Teachers to Promote Continuous and Inclusive Access to Safe and Quality Education for Girls in West Africa.”
The Ministry of Education, in a statement on Friday, said the initiative was designed to tackle critical challenges facing the education sector in West Africa, including poor learning outcomes, shortage of qualified teachers, gender inequality, learning poverty, and the high number of out-of-school children.
According to the ministry, the project targets six West African countries and seeks to strengthen teacher training institutions, improve teacher professional development, and expand the use of digital technology in teaching and learning.
It added that the intervention would also promote gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive education systems to improve retention and learning outcomes for female students.
The ICT equipment to be distributed to the institutions 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.
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; and the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.
Others are the 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, 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 ministry described the handover as “a strategic investment in Nigeria’s education system” and said the initiative would help deepen the adoption of ICT in education while enhancing teaching quality and inclusive learning opportunities for girls.
The project is being implemented in collaboration with the African Union International Centre for the Education of Girls and Women in Africa and the African Union Education, Science, Technology and Innovation team in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The ministry further disclosed that UNESCO-IICBA and the Japanese Government had unveiled additional interventions targeted at vulnerable learners and communities affected by crises.
One of the initiatives titled, “Empowering Female Teachers and School Leaders in Crisis Situations through Integrating Mobile-based Learning in the Pan African Virtual and Electronic University Initiative,” will support female teachers and school leaders in crisis-affected communities through mobile-based learning solutions.
The project would be implemented in partnership with Japanese EdTech firm, Castalia Co. Ltd., and the African Union’s Pan African Virtual and Electronic University initiative.
Nigerian institutions selected under the programme include Jigawa State College of Education, Gumel; Umar Ibn El-Kanemi Ibrahim College of Education Science and Technology, Bama; College of Education, Gashua; Federal University of Education, Pankshin; Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo State; Federal College of Education, Ofeme Ohuhu; Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education; and Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa.
The ministry also announced another intervention aimed at reintegrating out-of-school children into formal education through accelerated learning models that combine academic support with psychosocial care, life skills development, and safe learning spaces.
It commended the Government of Japan, UNESCO-IICBA, the African Union, and other development partners for supporting efforts to strengthen inclusive and equitable education in Nigeria.
