By Joseph Erunke
The Federal Government has launched a nationwide Artificial Intelligence (AI) training
capacity-building programme for teachers in federal unity colleges, a landmark initiative expected to equip about 11,700 educators with cutting-edge digital skills and transform classroom teaching across the country.
The initiative took a major step forward on Thursday with the signing of the Terms of Reference (ToR) between the Federal Ministry of Education and ICEDT Consult Limited, paving the way for the nationwide rollout of the AI Teacher Capacity Development Programme.
The programme, to be implemented through the Ministry’s Education Support Services Department, is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to modernise Nigeria’s education sector, strengthen teacher professionalism, and prepare students for the demands of a technology-driven global economy in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Abuja, Director of the Education Support Services Department, Mr. Gabriel Amudipe, described the programme as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s teaching workforce and the future of education.
He said the nationwide expansion followed the success of an earlier pilot phase and commended ICEDT Consult Limited for developing a structured implementation model that would ensure effective coordination and quality delivery across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Amudipe stressed that the standards recorded during the pilot exercise must be maintained throughout the national rollout.
He charged officials of the ministry assigned to monitor the programme to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism and ensure strict compliance with every provision of the agreement.
“The Ministry remains committed to supporting innovative initiatives that strengthen teacher professionalism, improve learning outcomes and promote the responsible integration of emerging technologies into education,” he said.
Earlier, Deputy Director of the Education Support Services Department, Mr. Oladele Fapohunda, described the programme as a strategic intervention designed to deepen digital innovation in Federal Unity Colleges.
He emphasised that collaboration among all stakeholders would be critical to the successful implementation of the initiative nationwide.
Providing insight into the programme, the Head of Strategic Partnerships and Learning Scientist at ICEDT Consult Limited, Dr. Abdulrahman Orosanya, said the project was approved for national expansion after a successful pilot conducted in six Federal Unity Colleges, representing the country’s six geopolitical zones.
According to him, the pilot demonstrated how Artificial Intelligence could significantly improve lesson planning, classroom instruction, assessment methods and teachers’ overall productivity.
He noted that the nationwide rollout would strengthen teachers’ digital competencies, enhance instructional delivery and support the Federal Government’s vision of building a technology-driven education system capable of producing globally competitive learners equipped with 21st-century skills.
The ceremony ended with the formal signing of the Terms of Reference by officials of the Federal Ministry of Education and ICEDT Consult Limited, signalling the commencement of preparations for full implementation of the programme across all Federal Unity Colleges.
Beyond the direct training of approximately 11,700 teachers, the initiative is expected to benefit thousands of students through improved classroom practice, increased digital innovation and the responsible application of Artificial Intelligence in teaching and learning.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with critical stakeholders to modernise Nigeria’s education system, improve teacher quality and deliver inclusive, equitable and future-ready education nationwide.
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