The Federal Government has launched the pilot phase of the Teachers on Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programme, an ambitious initiative designed to equip Nigerian educators with the skills needed to integrate AI tools and solutions into classrooms nationwide.
The programme represents a major step in aligning Nigeria’s education sector with global digital trends and preparing teachers to deliver 21st-century learning. Teachers in Federal Unity Colleges are the first beneficiaries of the pilot phase.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olamuyiwa Enitan—represented by his Technical Aide, Mrs. Collins Callista—highlighted the pivotal role of technology in reshaping teaching and learning across the country. He expressed confidence that the training would expose educators to a wide range of AI-powered educational tools that will improve teaching effectiveness and enhance learning outcomes.
Enitan thanked the International Community for Education Technology (ICEDT) for its vital contributions to transforming Nigeria’s education landscape. He noted that Federal Unity Colleges remain central to the nation’s pursuit of quality, equity and innovation in education.
“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,” he said. “This initiative is an open door to nationwide technological advancement in education, and I urge teachers to make the most of the opportunity to become champions of AI in education.”
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—reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to digitising the education sector. She explained that the training aligns with the National EdTech Strategy and the broader federal vision to prepare young Nigerians for the realities of a digital economy.
She emphasised that teachers are central to this transformation, hence the decision to begin with Unity Colleges, which serve as the flagship institutions of secondary education in Nigeria.
Delivering a goodwill message, ICEDT’s Head of Strategic Partnership and Learning Scientist, Dr. Abdurrahman Orasanye, described the project as a significant milestone in the mission to modernise education through technology. He reaffirmed ICEDT’s commitment to partnering with the ministry and other stakeholders to equip Nigerian teachers with the competencies required to excel in a tech-driven world.
The Federal Government says the pilot phase will inform the national rollout of the programme across all geopolitical zones as it works to build a digitally literate teaching workforce for the future.