The Federal Government has launched a nationwide Artificial Intelligence (AI) teacher capacity-building programme aimed at equipping about 11,700 educators in Federal Unity Colleges with advanced digital skills to improve teaching and learning across Nigeria.
The initiative moved into its implementation phase on Thursday following the signing of the Terms of Reference (ToR) between the Federal Ministry of Education and ICEDT Consult Limited in Abuja.
The programme, which will be implemented through the Ministry’s Education Support Services Department, forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to modernise the education sector, enhance teacher professionalism and prepare students for a technology-driven future under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Director of the Education Support Services Department, Gabriel Amudipe, described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s education system and teaching workforce.
He said the nationwide rollout followed the successful completion of a pilot phase and commended ICEDT Consult Limited for developing a structured implementation framework to ensure effective coordination and quality delivery across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Amudipe urged ministry officials responsible for monitoring the programme to uphold the standards achieved during the pilot phase and ensure strict compliance with the implementation guidelines.
“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.
Also speaking, Deputy Director of the Education Support Services Department, Oladele Fapohunda, described the programme as a strategic intervention that will deepen digital innovation in Federal Unity Colleges.
He stressed that collaboration among all stakeholders would be essential to the successful implementation of the initiative nationwide.
Head of Strategic Partnerships and Learning Scientist at ICEDT Consult Limited, Dr. Abdulrahman Orosanya, said the programme was approved for nationwide expansion after a successful pilot conducted in six Federal Unity Colleges across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
According to him, the pilot demonstrated that Artificial Intelligence can significantly improve lesson planning, classroom instruction, assessment methods and teachers’ overall productivity.
He added that the nationwide rollout will strengthen teachers’ digital competencies, improve instructional delivery and support the Federal Government’s vision of building a technology-driven education system capable of producing globally competitive students equipped with 21st-century skills.
The signing of the Terms of Reference formally marks the commencement of preparations for the full implementation of the programme across all Federal Unity Colleges.
Beyond the direct training of approximately 11,700 teachers, the initiative is expected to positively impact thousands of students through improved classroom instruction, greater digital innovation and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in education.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with key stakeholders to modernise Nigeria’s education system, improve teacher quality and deliver inclusive, equitable and future-ready education across the country.
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