News
VP backs expansion of digital education programme reaching 72,000 Nigerian students – Technology Times
Stay connected via Google News
Vice President Kashim Shettima has endorsed the expansion of digital education initiatives in Nigeria, commending a partnership between The Kukah Centre and the ProFuturo Foundation that has trained more than 1,150 teachers and impacted over 72,000 students across the country.
The Vice President said the digital learning initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader agenda to strengthen skills development and prepare Nigerians for participation in the digital economy.
The implementation of the programme in Nigeria has been driven by strong local capacity, sustained stakeholder commitment and political leadership, enabling continued progress since its launch. According to project stakeholders, the willingness of partners to adapt implementation strategies where necessary has helped deepen and expand the ProFuturo digital education initiative across participating states.
According to Nkanta, the intervention has reached more than 72,000 students while equipping over 1,150 teachers with digital teaching skills and classroom competencies. He stressed the need for additional funding and stronger partnerships to enable nationwide scale-up of the initiative.
Digital education prepares Nigerians for participation in digital economy
Speaking during a courtesy visit by officials of The Kukah Centre and the ProFuturo Foundation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima said the initiative complements the government’s efforts to strengthen skills acquisition through the National Council on Skills.
After receiving a briefing on the programme’s progress, the Vice President expressed satisfaction with improvements in school enrolment, teacher capacity and the quality of teaching delivered since the partnership began in 2017. He, however, noted that despite the achievements recorded so far, much more remains to be done to address the educational needs of Nigeria’s rapidly growing population.
As part of efforts to deepen the impact of digital learning nationwide, Shettima proposed closer collaboration between programme implementers and key education institutions, including the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the Federal Ministry of Education and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
“The interaction is to facilitate the cross-pollination of ideas that can help produce robust solutions to the issue of school enrolment in parts of Nigeria,” the Vice President said.
Shettima also pledged support for broader adoption of the initiative, assuring the delegation that he would introduce the programme to the National Economic Council (NEC) with the aim of digitising Universal Basic Education Boards across the country.
Providing an update on implementation milestones, Emmanuel Nkanta, project coordinator for the initiative, said the programme has expanded to 13 states and 123 schools since its launch.
According to Nkanta, the intervention has reached more than 72,000 students while equipping over 1,150 teachers with digital teaching skills and classroom competencies. He stressed the need for additional funding and stronger partnerships to enable nationwide scale-up of the initiative.
Matthew Kukah, Founder of The Kukah Centre, said the delegation’s visit to the Presidential Villa was intended to demonstrate support for the administration’s commitment to advancing digital education in Nigeria.
Describing Shettima’s support as critical for the country’s future, Kukah said the Vice President’s commitment reflects the leadership required to prepare Nigeria for the next phase of global development driven by digital skills and technology-enabled learning.
ProFuturo is a global digital education initiative established by Spain’s Fundación Telefónica and Fundación “la Caixa” to improve learning outcomes through technology-enabled education in underserved communities. The programme focuses on teacher training, digital learning content, classroom technology deployment and the development of digital skills among students.
In Nigeria, the initiative commenced in 2017 following an agreement involving the ProFuturo Foundation, the Northern Governors’ Forum and The Kukah Centre. The original programme targeted approximately 70,000 children across 120 schools in northern Nigeria through digital learning tools and teacher training interventions.
According to The Kukah Centre, the project was designed to reduce educational and digital inequalities among children in vulnerable communities by improving the quality of teaching and learning through technology.
Earlier programme updates from ProFuturo showed operations spanning 13 Nigerian states and more than 120 schools, with thousands of teachers benefiting from digital skills training. The latest figures presented to the Vice President indicate continued expansion in both teacher capacity development and student reach.
The renewed push for digital education comes as policymakers increasingly identify technology-enabled learning and digital skills development as essential to preparing young Nigerians for future workforce demands and supporting the country’s transition to a knowledge-driven digital economy.
Stay ahead with real-time reports, breaking news, and exclusive insights delivered directly to your phone. Don’t settle for outdated information. Join TECHNOLOGYTIMES NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates.
Join Our Whatsapp Channel
Inter Lagos have appointed Olusanjo Olutayo as their interim head coach following the departure of Shakiru Giwa.
READ ALSO: EuroMatch NPFL: Shakiru Giwa Steps Down as Inter Lagos Head Coach | Sports247 Nigeria
The Lagos-based club announced the appointment on its official social media page, welcoming Olutayo to the role as they prepare for their next fixture in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
“We are pleased to announce Coach Olusanjo Olutayo as our interim Head Coach. Welcome on board!” the club stated.
Sports247 had earlier reported Giwa’s departure from the club on Tuesday, October 13, after he stepped down from his position as head coach.
Giwa was instrumental in Inter Lagos’ promotion from the Nigeria National League (NNL) to the NPFL, marking a significant milestone in the club’s history.
However, the newly promoted side have struggled to make an impact in the top flight this season, with their opening eight league matches producing no victories.
Their latest setback was a 3-1 defeat away to Warri Wolves on Sunday, October 11, leaving them with just two points from eight matches.
Olutayo’s appointment now gives Inter Lagos a new coaching direction as they seek to improve their performances and turn their fortunes around in the league.
The interim coach will face the immediate task of preparing the team for their next NPFL encounter against Nasarawa United on Sunday, October 18.
The match presents an opportunity for Inter Lagos to begin a new chapter under their interim manager as they continue their search for a first league victory of the 2026/27 campaign.
The club has not yet announced whether Olutayo’s appointment will become permanent or how long he is expected to remain in charge.
-
News4 days agoMicrosoft’s Satya Nadella says AI models need an ‘emergency brake’
-
Business3 days ago
Veritas Kapital CEO Nwakuche Joins Coal City University Governing Council
-
News2 days ago
Meta releases its first frontier model, Muse Wonder
-
News3 days ago
2027: INEC publishes final names of governorship candidates across states [FULL LIST]
