Abuja: The Federal Government has launched a comprehensive five-week training program aimed at equipping 6,000 senior secondary school teachers with skills in Artificial Intelligence Pedagogy across Nigeria. At the official launch event held in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, urged the participating teachers to leverage this opportunity to further national development.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event also marked the unveiling of the Minimum Standards for Senior Secondary Education. Represented by Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, Director of the Senior Secondary Education Department (NSSEC) in the ministry, Dr. Alausa emphasized the vital role of education in societal development. He advocated for the integration of modern technology into teaching and learning processes, highlighting that AI is a current reality transforming various sectors globally.
The Minister stated, “The world is undergoing a technological revolution and artificial intelligence (AI) is at its core. AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality, transforming industries, economies, and societies. As educators, we must embrace this evolution to ensure our education sector is not left behind.”
Dr. Iyela Ajayi, Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission, appealed to state governments, school administrators, and private sector partners to support this initiative. He stressed the importance of investing in infrastructure, teacher training, and learners’ welfare to ensure inclusivity in educational excellence.
Ajayi assured that the minimum standards would be implemented immediately, with a nine-month window for school sanctions. He noted that the commission’s intervention programs would aim to address disparities in curriculum implementation, teaching quality, and infrastructure, among others.
Dr. Oluwakemi Olurinola, the Lead Facilitator from the Department of Science and Technology Education at Olabisi Onabanjo University, spoke about the training’s potential to bridge the digital gap in education. She encouraged teachers to use the knowledge gained to enhance their productivity and adapt to technological advancements in education.
Mr. Mohammed Salihu, Head of Teacher Training and International Partnership at NSSEC, provided an overview of the training program, which is organized into cohorts over five weeks. The program, attended by education commissioners or their representatives from all 36 states and the FCT, was sponsored by Google Research, with support from Data Science Nigeria and Olabisi Onabanjo University.