The Federal Government has launched a three-day master training workshop aimed at strengthening teacher professional development through mobile-based learning, with the initiative expected to benefit at least 2,000 teachers and school leaders across Nigeria while prioritising the empowerment of female educators.
The programme, organised by the Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with the Government of Japan, UNESCO’s International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (UNESCO-IICBA), the Pan-African University (PAU) and Castalia Co. Ltd. under the Pan-African Virtual and Electronic University (PAVEU) Initiative, is designed to equip master trainers with digital skills to expand access to continuous professional development for teachers nationwide.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop on behalf of the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, the Director of Colleges of Education, Dr. Uchenna Uba, described the initiative as a significant step towards improving teacher quality, promoting digital innovation and enhancing learning outcomes under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
According to him, the programme reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising teacher training by integrating technology into professional development and ensuring educators are equipped with the skills required for 21st-century teaching.
Participants in the workshop will undergo training in digital literacy, the application of artificial intelligence in education, gender-responsive pedagogy, mental health support, learner-centred teaching methodologies and the use of the GOKU Mobile Learning Platform.
The initiative is expected to produce a network of master trainers who will cascade the knowledge and skills acquired to at least 2,000 teachers and school leaders across the country, expanding the reach and impact of the programme.
As part of its support for the initiative, the Government of Japan is investing approximately US$1 million in the programme. Development partners also donated 40 tablets and two edge computing devices to facilitate digital learning and support nationwide implementation.
The Federal Ministry of Education said the initiative underscores its commitment to leveraging technology, international partnerships and innovative learning platforms to strengthen teacher capacity and advance inclusive, equitable and quality education for all Nigerian children.
