The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has provided high-specification HP OmniBook laptops to the National Association of Women in Colleges of Education (WICE) to strengthen its administrative capacity and promote digital literacy 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 computers would enhance documentation, information management, communication, coordination and collaboration among the association’s leadership and members.
He also disclosed that NITDA had enrolled 1,135 WICE members in online digital literacy courses through its Cisco Networking Academy platform to strengthen their competencies in teaching, research and administration.
To complement the online training, the agency is supporting an in-person masterclass on productivity tools, cybersecurity and generative artificial intelligence (AI) to equip participants with practical skills for improving workplace efficiency and promoting responsible technology use.
According to him, 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 goal of building a digitally skilled and inclusive Nigeria.
Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with WICE, noting that equipping women educators with relevant digital skills and technological tools would improve teaching and learning outcomes and contribute to developing a future-ready workforce.
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 opportunities to expand access to higher education, improve teacher training and equip graduates with skills to address emerging national and global challenges.
He emphasised the need for sustained investment in educational infrastructure, research, digital learning, staff development and institutional capacity, stressing that teacher education must adapt to technological advancements, artificial intelligence and changing labour market demands.
The governor also acknowledged the contributions of women to educational development while highlighting challenges such as 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 remained relevant to learners’ needs and societal expectations.
Also speaking, 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 focused on advancing teacher education for sustainable development while 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.
