By BONIFACE AKARAH

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has donated high-specification HP OmniBook laptops to the National Association of Women in Colleges of Education (WICE) and enrolled 1,135 of its members in digital literacy courses to strengthen technology use in teaching, research and administration.

The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, disclosed the interventions at the 30th Annual National Conference of WICE, themed “Dual Mandate: Global Impact; Reimagining Teacher Education for Sustainable Development.”

Inuwa said the computers would improve the association’s administrative operations, particularly documentation, information management, communication, coordination and collaboration among its leadership and members.

He said, “NITDA has enrolled 1,135 WICE members in digital literacy online courses through the NITDA-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), aimed at equipping participants with practical skills for improved workplace efficiency and responsible technology use.

According to Inuwa, 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 said, “These programmes support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the goal of building a digitally skilled and inclusive Nigeria.”

The NITDA chief reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with WICE, adding that empowering 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 offered opportunities to expand access to higher education, improve teacher training and prepare graduates for emerging national and global challenges.

The governor stressed the need for sustained investment in educational infrastructure, research, digital learning, staff development and institutional capacity.

He said, “Teacher education must adapt to technological advancements, artificial intelligence and changing labour market demands.”

Yusuf also highlighted the contributions of women to educational development, while acknowledging 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 an opportunity for professional renewal, knowledge sharing, networking and strategic collaboration.

She said, “The gathering focuses on advancing teacher education for sustainable development and strengthening the personal and professional capacities of members.”

Bisong reaffirmed the association’s commitment to building women’s capacity in education, strengthening professional networks and promoting collaboration to improve educational outcomes and contribute to national development.

•PHOTO: Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, represented by Christiana Simon of the Digital Development Services Department, in a group photograph with other dignitaries at the 30th Annual National Conference of WICE, held in Bichi, Kano State.