By Abiodun Folarin
WorldStage– The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has enrolled 1,135 members of the National Association of Women in Colleges of Education (WICE) in digital literacy courses and donated high-specification HP OmniBook laptops to strengthen technology adoption in teacher education.
The initiative is aimed at improving digital skills, administrative efficiency and technology-driven teaching and learning among women educators.
NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, disclosed this at the 30th Annual National Conference of WICE, themed “Dual Mandate: Global Impact; Reimagining Teacher Education for Sustainable Development.”
Inuwa said the laptops would improve documentation, information management, communication, coordination and collaboration among the association’s leadership and members.
He added that the 1,135 WICE members were enrolled in online digital literacy courses through the NITDA-Cisco Networking Academy platform to strengthen their competencies in teaching, research and administration.
To complement the online training, NITDA is supporting an in-person masterclass covering productivity tools, cybersecurity and generative artificial intelligence (AI), providing participants with practical skills to improve workplace efficiency and promote responsible technology use.
According to Inuwa, the interventions align with the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) 2023, which targets 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
He said the programmes also support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its drive to build a digitally skilled and inclusive Nigeria.
The NITDA chief reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with WICE, noting that equipping women educators with relevant digital tools and skills would improve educational outcomes and contribute to developing a future-ready workforce.
Also speaking, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, said the dual mandate of Colleges of Education provided opportunities to expand access to higher education, improve teacher training and equip graduates with skills to address emerging national and global challenges.
The governor stressed the need for sustained investment in educational infrastructure, research, digital learning, staff development and institutional capacity, noting that teacher education must adapt to technological advancements, artificial intelligence and changing labour market demands.
He highlighted the contributions of women to educational development but identified challenges including limited leadership opportunities, inadequate funding for professional development and insufficient access to digital resources.
Yusuf called for stronger partnerships between Colleges of Education and schools to ensure teacher preparation programmes remained relevant to learners’ needs and societal expectations.
WICE National President, Dr Magdaline Bisong, described the conference as a platform for professional renewal, knowledge sharing, networking and strategic collaboration.
She said the gathering was focused on advancing teacher education for sustainable development and strengthening members’ personal and professional capacities.Bisong reaffirmed the association’s commitment to building the capacity of women in education, strengthening professional networks and promoting collaboration to improve educational outcomes and contribute to national development.
