Education experts and technology leaders recently met to discuss ways to enhance Nigeria’s education system. The event, which included telecom giant Airtel Nigeria, focused on using artificial intelligence and digital platforms to transform teaching methods.
The ‘1 Million Teachers Blackbelt Graduation Ceremony’ at Lagos Country Club in Ikeja on July 6, 2024, brought together leaders to explore the future of education in Africa. Femi Adeniran, Director of Corporate Communications and CSR at Airtel Nigeria, shared valuable insights on harnessing technology to advance education.
Adeniran emphasized the importance of effective school marketing, especially since using children in ads is restricted. He suggested schools focus on impactful programs that connect with their communities. Adeniran highlighted the value of direct communication like Parent-Teacher Association meetings to inform parents and create positive word-of-mouth. He also noted how social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn are increasingly important for building a school’s reputation.
The Airtel executive shed light on the company’s commitment to education, mentioning their ongoing $57 million partnership with UNICEF called the ‘Airtel/UNICEF Re-imagine Education’ program. This initiative has already connected 600 students in its first year and now provides monthly data to 960 public schools, enabling access to the Learning Passport, an educational platform developed by the Ministry of Education.
Other panelists at the event included Patrick Egbunonu, a faculty member from St. Lawrence College, Canada; Emmanuel Asika, Country Head of HP Nigeria; and Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Project Director at Seed Care and Support Foundation. Together, They discussed how to use their expertise and innovations to drive educational reforms in Africa.
The talk also covered how artificial intelligence could create new teaching methods. As technology improves, experts believe AI will be vital in tailoring education, making it more effective and accessible for students across Nigeria.
This gathering shows a growing trend in Nigeria’s education sector, where technology and traditional teaching methods are coming together. As stakeholders embrace technology-driven strategies, there’s hope that these efforts will significantly enhance the quality of education across the country.
The event, co-sponsored by Airtel Nigeria, emphasizes the telecom company’s commitment to backing educational efforts. It also showcases the wider partnership between the private sector, international organizations, and educational institutions to promote positive change in Nigeria’s education system.
It will be interesting to see how these strategies impact Nigeria’s education system in the coming years. AI, digital platforms, and better communication methods could transform how students learn and teachers teach, leading to a more innovative educational environment in Nigeria.
