The Federal Government has launched a mobile learning programme to train at least 2,000 teachers and school leaders nationwide, with a special focus on female educators, as part of efforts to improve teacher development through digital innovation.
The initiative was unveiled at the opening of a three-day Master Training Workshop in Abuja, organised by the Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with UNESCO’s International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (UNESCO-IICBA), the Government of Japan and the Pan African University.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, the Director of the Colleges of Education Department, Dr U.C. Uba, said the programme aligns with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She said the workshop would strengthen teachers’ digital skills, expand access to continuous professional development through mobile technology and improve teaching quality across the country.
According to the minister, participants will receive practical training in digital literacy, the GOKU Mobile Learning Platform, artificial intelligence in education, digital inclusion, gender-responsive teaching, learner-centred instruction and mental health support. They are also expected to transfer the knowledge gained to fellow educators, extending the programme’s reach to thousands of teachers and millions of learners.
Professor Ahmad said empowering female teachers and school leaders remains a priority, noting that strengthening their leadership and digital competencies would contribute to a more inclusive and effective education system.
UNESCO’s Acting Officer-in-Charge of the Education Sector in Abuja, Adeyemi Oladeji, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting teacher education and digital transformation in Nigeria, while Japan’s representative, Akiko Miyazawa, said the approximately one million dollar project reflects her country’s investment in human capital development across Africa.
National Focal Point for the UNESCO-IICBA Joint Project, Mopelola Lawani, said participants would be equipped with the technical and leadership skills required to serve as master trainers, with each participating country expected to train at least 2,000 teachers under the initiative.
To support implementation, participants received 40 tablets and two edge computing devices to enhance digital learning and facilitate the nationwide rollout of the mobile-based training programme.
The Federal Ministry of Education said it would continue collaborating with local and international partners to strengthen teacher professional development through digital innovation and improve learning outcomes across Nigeria.
