An initiative to train 6,000 senior high school teachers in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in artificial intelligence has been initiated by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The National Senior Secondary Education Commission organised the program, which aims to incorporate AI into the educational system, improving teaching strategies and equipping teachers with the knowledge and abilities they need to prepare pupils for a technologically advanced future.
The training’s flag-off ceremony and the announcement of the minimum standards for senior secondary education in Abuja on Tuesday were attended by Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, the Minister of Education. He said the program is historic in its collective commitment to giving teachers the tools they need to prepare students for the quickly changing digital age.
He stated, “The world is undergoing a technological revolution, and Artificial Intelligence is at its core. AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality, transforming industries, economies, and societies.”
He continued, “As educators, we must embrace this evolution and ensure our education sector is not left behind. The integration of AI into pedagogy offers an unprecedented opportunity to enhance learning experiences, personalise education, and develop critical thinking skills among our students. Our goal is to prepare them for careers in a technology-driven world, where AI literacy will be as fundamental as reading and writing.”
“This document, which was developed by NSSEC through extensive collaboration with stakeholders and approved by the National Council on Education, 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 emphasised.
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AI training to improve teaching strategies and student experiences
Nigeria must not fall behind as the world swiftly transitions to a digital future, according to Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed, Minister of State for Education. She asserts that integrating AI into Nigeria’s educational system will improve teaching strategies and student experiences, making learners more equipped for possibilities around the world.
She said, “The AI in Pedagogy training is a vital component of these reforms, ensuring our teachers acquire the necessary skills to facilitate innovative and technologically-driven education.”
“To our dedicated teachers, you are at the centre of this transformation. The knowledge and expertise you acquire through this training will have a ripple effect on our students, preparing them for a world where digital and AI skills are indispensable. I encourage you to embrace this opportunity fully and apply the knowledge gained to enrich classroom experiences,” she added.
AI training: a turning point in Nigeria’s educational system
In addition, Dr. Iyela Ajayi, the executive secretary of NSEEC, stated that the official release of the Developed Minimum Standards for Senior Secondary Education and the launch of an online course sponsored by Google that teaches 6,000 senior secondary school teachers nationwide AI pedagogy marks a turning point in the nation’s efforts to improve education.
He said, “The Virtual training programme, which is sponsored by Google Research and supported by Data Science Nigeria and Olabisi Onabanjo University Ogun State, is aimed at enhancing the AI pedagogical skills among senior secondary school teachers across the 36 states and the FCT. The training is packaged in five modules and is expected to run for a period of five weeks.”
“On the other hand, the National Senior Secondary Education Commission, entrusted with the crucial responsibility of repositioning the Senior Secondary Education, provides intervention in the area of capacity building of teachers, provision of instructional resources, among others, and has developed Minimum Standards for Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria,” he added.