The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has empowered over 400 secondary school teachers across the northeast region of Nigeria through its Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Program (ASSEP). This initiative was conducted in partnership with 1 Million Teachers (1MT), an international NGO focused on human capital development.
The training covered more than 50 modules, categorized into 10 belts based on an educational belting system. These self-paced courses equipped teachers with modern pedagogical techniques, meta-cognition, leadership skills, classroom management strategies, ethical use of ICT tools, Artificial Intelligence, and other critical areas.
Graduation ceremonies took place from February 3rd to 8th across six states: Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, and Taraba. The events were attended by key stakeholders in the education sector, including commissioners, permanent secretaries, teachers’ union leaders, parents, and students.
Speaking at the Maiduguri event in Borno State, the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, praised the initiative as a significant step toward enhancing educational outcomes. He announced plans to distribute mini laptops (tablets) preloaded with learning materials to teachers who completed the training, enabling them to implement their newly acquired skills effectively.
Education commissioners from other states, including Prof. Aishatu Umar Maigar (Gombe), Dr. Lawal Mohammed Rimin Zayam (Bauchi), and Dr. Augustina Godwin (Taraba), alongside Adamawa’s Permanent Secretary for Education, Hajiya Aisha Umar, and Yobe’s NUT Chairman, Mr. Ado Idrissa, also lauded the program. They commended NEDC and 1 Million Teachers for prioritizing teacher development, pledging further support for both the graduates and future participants.
In particular, Gombe and Bauchi state governments expressed interest in enrolling additional teachers in the program, while Yobe’s NUT Chairman committed to sponsoring internet subscriptions for those who completed the course. Adamawa’s education office announced plans to integrate the “Black Belt” training into the teacher promotion process, with Taraba also indicating interest in incorporating it into its teacher development framework.
Providing insights into the program, 1 Million Teachers CEO, Mr. Hakeem Subair, represented by 2020 Global Teacher Prize finalist and 1MT-ASSEP project lead, Mr. Olasunkanmi Opeifa, emphasized the necessity of continuous learning for educators to remain competitive and effective. He urged teachers to leverage their new knowledge to transform education in the region and encouraged more educators to participate in future training sessions.
Dr. Mariam Masha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development Programs, applauded the commitment of 1 Million Teachers and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to enhancing teachers’ professional growth. She congratulated the graduates and urged them to apply their newly acquired skills in their classrooms to improve educational standards across the northeast.
