… distributes internet routers to 200 schools
IHS Nigeria Limited, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as well as the Ministries of Education in both Kano and Akwa Ibom States, has trained a total number of 450 principals and teachers on digital training.
The IHS Nigeria Limited digital training programme, which is organised for primary and secondary schools’ teachers in the country with the distribution of 100 internet routers with one-year free subscription to each participating school as part of school connectivity programme, has now been held in Lagos, Kano and Akwa Ibom States this year.
Speaking during the programme Kick-off in Lagos, Titilope Oguntuga, Director of Sustainability at IHS Nigeria Limited, noted that digital literacy is a necessity in an evolving digital world, stressing that every Nigerian child deserves access to the knowledge, skills, and tools required to thrive in the digital age.
“Through our Digital Literacy Training initiative, we are going beyond infrastructure to strengthen capacity. This expanded effort is focused on equipping teachers with practical digital skills to effectively integrate technology into teaching and learning, enhance classroom delivery, and maximise the benefits of digital infrastructure in schools”, she said.
In Kano State, Baahir Baffa Muhammad, the Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Education, Alhaji Baahir Baffa Muhammad, emphasised the importance of digital literacy and internet connectivity in improving teaching and learning outcomes across the State.
The Permanent Secretary, represented by Sagir Umar Danbare, Director of Schools, commended IHS Nigeria Limited, UNICEF and other development partners for supporting the Government’s efforts to modernise education through technology.
He noted that the initiative reflects the shared commitment of the Kano State Government and its partners to expanding access to digital learning opportunities and ensuring that no learner is left behind in the digital age.
Declaring the training open in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, Ubong Essien, State Commissioner for Education, appreciated IHS Nigeria for the initiative, describing it as a complementary gesture to the education component of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE agenda.
Essien, a Professor of Military History, lauded the critical role of teachers and praised the participants for their impressive turnout, even as he solicited the effective use of the equipment and training for the advancement of digital literacy and the education sector.
The training, which attracted over 250 principals and teachers from 140 schools in Akwa Ibom State, covered digital literacy, professional development, cyber security and online safety for teachers and learners. Other components of the training included preparing students for the future of work; managing limited ICT resources, as well as exploring digital learning platforms.
But Olaonipekun Kazeem, the Executive Director, Focus Teens Foundation, the implementing partner for the project, stressed the importance of the school connectivity programme for learning digital skills, driving creativity and using technology responsibly to unlock new possibilities for every teacher and learner.
He reaffirmed IHS Nigeria Limited’s commitment to leveraging technology and strategic partnerships to bridge the digital divide and create opportunities for young people through improved access to connectivity and digital skills development.