By Nkechi Eze
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has enrolled 1,135 members of the National Association of Women in Colleges of Education (WICE) in digital literacy courses as part of efforts to strengthen technology-driven teaching, research and administration in Nigeria’s education sector.
The initiative also includes the provision of high-specification HP OmniBook laptop computers to WICE to improve its administrative efficiency and expand access to digital tools among women educators.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, disclosed this at the 30th Annual National Conference of WICE, themed “Dual Mandate: Global Impact; Reimagining Teacher Education for Sustainable Development.”
Inuwa said the intervention was designed to equip women educators with relevant digital competencies and technological resources to enhance their professional capabilities and improve educational outcomes.
He explained that the 1,135 members were enrolled in online digital literacy courses through the NITDA-Cisco Networking Academy platform, while the agency was also supporting an in-person masterclass on productivity tools, cybersecurity and generative artificial intelligence (AI).
According to him, the training would provide participants with practical skills to improve workplace productivity, strengthen information management and promote the responsible use of technology in educational institutions.
The provision of the HP OmniBook laptops, he added, would enhance documentation, communication, coordination and collaboration among WICE’s leadership and members.
Inuwa noted that the interventions aligned with the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) 2023, which targets 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
He said the programmes also supported the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its objective of building a digitally skilled and inclusive Nigeria.
The NITDA chief reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with WICE, noting that empowering women educators with digital skills and appropriate technological tools was essential to preparing teachers and learners for an increasingly technology-driven world.
Speaking at the conference, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, said the dual mandate of Colleges of Education provided opportunities to expand access to higher education, improve teacher training and equip graduates with skills to address emerging national and global challenges.
The governor stressed the need for sustained investment in educational infrastructure, research, digital learning, staff development and institutional capacity, noting that teacher education must adapt to technological advancements, artificial intelligence and changing labour market demands.
He also highlighted the contributions of women to educational development while identifying limited leadership opportunities, inadequate funding for professional development and insufficient access to digital resources as challenges requiring attention.
Yusuf called for stronger partnerships between Colleges of Education and schools to ensure that teacher preparation programmes remained responsive to learners’ needs and societal expectations.
In her remarks, WICE National President, Dr Magdaline Bisong, described the conference as a platform for professional renewal, knowledge sharing, networking and strategic collaboration.
Bisong said the gathering was focused on advancing teacher education for sustainable development while strengthening the personal and professional capacities of members.
She reaffirmed the association’s commitment to building the capacity of women in education, strengthening professional networks and promoting collaboration to improve educational outcomes and contribute to national development.
