Jane Salihu
The Federal Government has concluded plans to distribute Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to 15 Federal and State Colleges of Education across Nigeria under a major education support initiative funded by the Government of Japan.
The handover ceremony, scheduled for June 2, 2026, in Abuja, is part of the project titled, “Capacity-building of Teachers to Promote Continuous and Inclusive Access to Safe and Quality Education for Girls in West Africa.”
The intervention, implemented through UNESCO-International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (UNESCO-IICBA), is aimed at strengthening teacher education, promoting digital learning, and expanding inclusive access to quality education, particularly for girls and vulnerable learners.
Officials described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s education sector and a bold response to challenges such as learning poverty, shortage of qualified teachers, gender inequality, and the rising number of out-of-school children across West Africa.
The project targets six West African countries and seeks to strengthen gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive education systems through teacher development, improved institutional capacity, and the integration of digital technologies into teaching and learning.
As part of the support package, beneficiary institutions will receive 65 laptop computers, 71 tablets, 19 all-in-one desktop computers, four desktop systems, five interactive smart boards, 14 projectors, 15 printers, and 15 backup hard drives.
Beneficiary institutions include Federal College of Education, Kontagora; Federal College of Education, Zaria; Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe; Federal College of Education, Yola; Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba; Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, among others.
Others are College of Education, Zuba, FCT; Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education; Enugu State College of Education (Technical); Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kano; Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu; Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto; Adamawa State College of Education, Hong, and Taraba State College of Education, Zing.
According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the intervention is expected to improve the quality of teaching, increase the number of qualified educators, encourage ICT-driven learning, and create safer and more inclusive learning environments for girls.
The Ministry noted that the adoption of gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive teaching methods would also improve retention rates and learning outcomes for female students across participating institutions.
Implementation strategies under the programme include intensive teacher training, introduction of school safety guidelines, infrastructure upgrades, provision of digital learning tools, and the promotion of knowledge-sharing platforms to support evidence-based educational policies.
In a further boost to Nigeria’s education sector, UNESCO-IICBA and the Government of Japan also unveiled additional initiatives targeted at vulnerable communities and crisis-affected areas.
One of the new programmes, titled “Empowering Female Teachers and School Leaders in Crisis Situations through Integrating Mobile-based Learning in the Pan African Virtual and Electronic University (PAVEU) Initiative,” will provide mobile-based learning opportunities for female teachers and school leaders in conflict-affected communities.
The project will be implemented in partnership with Japanese EdTech firm, Castalia Co., Ltd, alongside the African Union’s Pan African Virtual and Electronic University initiative.
Beneficiary institutions in Nigeria include Jigawa State College of Education, Gumel; Umar Ibn El-Kanemi Ibrahim College of Education Science and Technology, Bama; College of Education, Gashua; Federal University of Education, Pankshin; Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo State; Federal College of Education, Ofeme Ohuhu; Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, and Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa.
Another major intervention announced under the partnership is “The Project for Enabling Out-of-School Children to Join Formal Education through Accelerated Learning.”
The programme is designed to reintegrate out-of-school children into the formal school system through accelerated learning models that combine academic support, psychosocial care, life skills training, and safe learning spaces.
The Federal Ministry of Education commended the Government of Japan, UNESCO-IICBA, the African Union, and development partners for their continued commitment to transforming education in Nigeria and advancing inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all.
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