The Federal Government has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Pedagogy training programme for 6,000 teachers in a bid to revolutionise Nigeria’s education sector.
This initiative by the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), sponsored by Google Research and supported by Data Science Nigeria and Olabisi Onabanjo University Ogun State, aims to facilitate innovative and technologically-driven education in the country.
The federal government at the event also unveiled the Minimum Standards for Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria.
Speaking while unveiling the programme, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, in Abuja on Tuesday, explained that the training, which will involve senior secondary school teachers across the 36 states and FCT, is a “collective commitment to equipping our teachers with the skills necessary to prepare our students for the rapidly evolving digital age.”
The minister, who was represented by the ministry’s Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, added that the ministry has aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritise education as a catalyst for national development and has undertaken several strategic initiatives to reform and modernize our educational sector.
“One such is the integration of digital literacy and Al-driven pedagogical practices into our teaching methodologies, as well as the introduction of a centralized, harmonized databank and unified platform for the entire education sector in Nigeria.
“The world is undergoing a technological revolution, and artificial intelligence (AI) is at its core. Al is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality, transforming industries, economies, and societies.
“As educators, we must embrace this evolution and ensure our education sector is not left behind. The integration of Al into pedagogy offers an unprecedented opportunity to enhance learning experiences, personalize education, and develop critical thinking skills among our students. Our goal is to prepare them for careers in a technology-driven world, where Al literacy will be as fundamental as reading and writing,” he said.
He urged the selected teachers to fully embrace the training with enthusiasm, as they “hold the key to shaping a knowledgeable and competent generation, and the tools you gain here will not only benefit your students but also elevate your careers as educators.”
On the Minimum Standards for Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria, the minister explained that the document, developed by NSSEC, will serve as a guiding framework to ensure that senior secondary education across Nigeria adheres to high-quality standards.
“It is our blueprint for ensuring consistency, accountability, and measurable improvement in our education sector,” he said.
Explaining more about the training, NSSEC boss, Dr. Iyela Ajayi, stated that the training is packaged in five modules and is expected to run for five weeks.
On the Minimum Standards for Senior Secondary Education, Ajayi noted that it was a strategic response to the challenges and gaps identified in the senior secondary education sub-sector.
“Over the years, we have observed disparities in curriculum implementation, teaching quality, school infrastructure, and learner outcomes across different states and schools. These inconsistencies have contributed to uneven access to quality education, limiting the potential of many learners.
“With these newly developed standards, we now have a comprehensive framework that sets clear benchmarks for learning content, teacher qualification, school facilities, learners assessment, and governance in all senior secondary schools across Nigeria,” he said.
The Head of Teacher Development and International Partnership, Mohammed Salihu, noted that it aims to enhance teaching methodologies and improve learning outcomes.
He added that 130 teachers will be selected from each state and 11 teachers from federal unity colleges.