The Federal Government has officially handed over Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment and materials to 15 teacher training institutions across Nigeria, describing the intervention as a major boost to teacher education, digital literacy, and inclusive learning.

The equipment was donated by the Government of Japan through the UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA) under a regional education support project.

Speaking at the handover ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, commended UNESCO-IICBA, the Government of Japan, and the African Union for implementing the project aimed at strengthening teacher training and promoting continuous access to safe and quality education, particularly for girls.

She noted that the initiative covers six West and Central African countries, including Nigeria, and aligns with the Federal Ministry of Education’s priorities under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Professor Ahmad emphasized that teachers remain the foundation of every successful education system, stressing that no meaningful reform can be achieved without well-trained and digitally empowered educators.

She said that the ICT resources would enhance both pre-service and in-service teacher training, improve access to digital learning materials, and encourage innovative, inclusive, and learner-centred teaching methods.

The Minister disclosed that the beneficiary institutions, drawn from the six geo-political zones of the country, received various digital tools including laptops, tablets, desktop computers, interactive smart boards, projectors, printers, and backup hard drives.

According to the minister, the equipment will strengthen institutional capacity and support the development of digitally competent teachers capable of meeting 21st-century educational demands.

She also highlighted the importance of safe and inclusive learning environments, noting that the programme includes consultations on school safety guidelines, infrastructure security, and gender-responsive teaching practices.

The Minister further stated that the Ministry’s key focus areas include Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), girl-child education, quality assurance, data management, and digitization.

Professor Ahmad reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving teacher quality and expanding access to digital education through strategic partnerships, urging beneficiary institutions to utilize the equipment responsibly and sustainably, while expressing appreciation to all development partners for their support.