FG, Japan, UNESCO launch digital training for teachers, targets 2,000 educators

The Federal Government has launched a three-day Master Training Workshop aimed at enhancing teachers’ professional development through mobile-based learning, with a target of training at least 2,000 educators and school leaders across Nigeria.

The initiative, which places special focus on empowering female school leaders, is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Government of Japan, UNESCO-International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (UNESCO-IICBA), the Pan-African University (PAU) and Castalia Co. Ltd. under the Pan-African Virtual and Electronic University (PAVEU) Initiative.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, represented by the Director of Colleges of Education, Dr. Uchenna Uba, described the programme as a significant step towards improving teacher quality and advancing digital innovation in Nigeria’s education sector.

She said the initiative aligns with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and is designed to strengthen teaching capacity, improve learning outcomes and expand access to continuous professional development through technology.

The workshop is equipping selected master trainers with digital competencies that will enable them to train teachers and school administrators nationwide using mobile-based learning platforms.

Participants are receiving instruction in digital literacy, the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, gender-responsive pedagogy, mental health, learner-centred teaching methodologies and the use of the GOKU Mobile Learning Platform.

As part of its support for the programme, the Government of Japan is investing approximately US$1 million to drive implementation.

Development partners also donated 40 tablets and two edge computing devices to facilitate the nationwide rollout of the initiative.

The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging digital technology and strategic partnerships to provide inclusive, equitable and quality education, noting that strengthening teachers’ capacity remains critical to improving learning outcomes for Nigerian children.