Over 700 school owners, administrators, and educators gathered in Port Harcourt to explore ways of empowering school leaders with practical digital skills and tools to drive innovation in education.

The summit, themed “Unlocking School Growth Through Innovation”, was organised by CloudNotte, an education technology firm, in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State chapter.

CloudNotte CEO, Mary Matthew, stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government, private sector, and stakeholders to transform Nigeria’s education sector. “The government is trying, but there is a need to do more. The private sector is also trying, but when you look at government schools, there is so much to be done,” she said.

In a major boost for school financing, BoI’s Divisional Head for MSMEs in the South-South, Pacqueens Irabor, announced that schools can now access up to ₦5 million under the FGN/MSME Intervention Fund at a nine per cent interest rate for three years, to help them invest in digital tools and infrastructure.

Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB) Strategic Planning and ICT Officer, Stella Atukomi, underscored the importance of data-driven decision-making in school development. “Before you plan, you need information, and that information is key to decision-making in the state,” she noted.

NAPPS Chairman, Sunday Jaja, urged school leaders to embrace emerging trends, particularly the planned transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by various examination bodies.

The event reinforced the growing push for digital transformation in African education, positioning technology as a critical driver of school growth and improved learning outcomes.