The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has donated HP OmniBook laptop computers to the National Association of Women in Colleges of Education (WICE) and enrolled 1,135 of its members in online digital literacy courses to strengthen technology adoption in teacher education.
The initiative is aimed at improving the digital capabilities of women educators, boosting administrative efficiency and promoting technology-driven teaching and learning across Nigeria.
Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, NITDA Director-General, announced the interventions at the 30th Annual National Conference of WICE, held in Bichi, Kano State. The conference was themed “Dual Mandate: Global Impact; Reimagining Teacher Education for Sustainable Development.”
Represented by Christiana Simon of the agency’s Digital Development Services Department, Inuwa said the laptops would improve documentation, information management, communication and collaboration among WICE leaders and members.
He disclosed that 1,135 members of the association had been enrolled in digital literacy courses through the NITDA-Cisco Networking Academy platform. The training is designed to strengthen their skills in teaching, research and administration.
NITDA is also supporting an in-person masterclass covering productivity tools, cybersecurity and generative artificial intelligence (AI). The programme is expected to give participants practical knowledge to improve workplace efficiency and encourage the responsible use of technology.
Inuwa said 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 added that the programmes support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its ambition to build a digitally skilled and inclusive economy.
The NITDA chief reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with WICE, noting that equipping women educators with digital tools and relevant skills could improve teaching and learning outcomes while helping to prepare Nigeria’s workforce for emerging opportunities.
Speaking at the conference, 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 presented an opportunity to expand access to higher education, improve teacher training and equip graduates to address emerging national and global challenges.
The governor called for sustained investment in educational infrastructure, research, digital learning, staff development and institutional capacity.
He noted that teacher education must evolve in response to technological advances, artificial intelligence and changing labour market demands.
Yusuf also highlighted the contributions of women to educational development but acknowledged persistent challenges, including limited leadership opportunities, inadequate funding for professional development and insufficient access to digital resources.
He called for stronger partnerships between Colleges of Education and schools to ensure that teacher preparation programmes remain relevant to learners’ needs and wider societal expectations.
Dr Magdaline Bisong, WICE National President, described the conference as a platform for professional development, knowledge sharing, networking and strategic collaboration.
She said the gathering was designed to advance teacher education for sustainable development while strengthening members’ personal and professional capacities.
Bisong reaffirmed the association’s commitment to empowering women in education, building professional networks and fostering collaboration to improve educational outcomes and support national development.
