By Saminu Ibrahim
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has donated high-specification HP OmniBook laptop computers to the National Association of Women in Colleges of Education (WICE) to strengthen its administrative capacity and promote digital literacy among women educators.
The agency also enrolled 1,135 WICE members in online digital literacy courses through the NITDA-Cisco Networking Academy platform as part of efforts to improve their skills in teaching, research and administration.
The Director-General of NITDA, 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 laptops would improve documentation, information management, communication, coordination and collaboration among the association’s leadership and members.
He added that the initiative reflected NITDA’s commitment to advancing digital inclusion, enhancing productivity and promoting technology-driven education across the country.
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 digital skills for improved workplace efficiency and 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 said the programmes also support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its commitment to building a digitally skilled and inclusive Nigeria.
Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s readiness to strengthen its partnership with WICE, stressing that equipping women educators with relevant digital tools and skills would improve teaching and learning outcomes and contribute to developing a future-ready workforce.
Meanwhile, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, said the dual mandate of Colleges of Education provided opportunities to expand access to higher education, improve teacher training and equip graduates with the skills needed to address emerging national and global challenges.
The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, made the remarks at the conference,
emphasised the need for sustained investment in educational infrastructure, research, digital learning, staff development and institutional capacity.
According to him, teacher education must evolve in response to technological advancements, artificial intelligence and changing labour market demands.
Yusuf also acknowledged the contributions of women to educational development but noted that challenges such as limited leadership opportunities, inadequate funding for professional development and insufficient access to digital resources continued to affect their advancement.
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.
Earlier, WICE National President, Dr Magdaline Bisong, described the conference as a platform for professional renewal, knowledge sharing, networking and strategic collaboration among women educators.
Bisong said the gathering was designed to advance teacher education for sustainable development while strengthening the personal and professional capacities of members.
She reaffirmed the association’s commitment to empowering women in education, expanding professional networks and promoting collaboration to improve educational outcomes and contribute to national development.
