The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has provided 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 initiative is part of the agency’s commitment to advancing digital inclusion, improving productivity and promoting technology-driven education in Nigeria.
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, disclosed this at the 30th Annual National Conference of WICE, themed “Dual Mandate: Global Impact; Reimagining Teacher Education for Sustainable Development.”
Inuwa said the computers would enhance documentation, information management, communication, coordination and collaboration among the association’s leadership and members.
He also revealed that NITDA had enrolled 1,135 WICE members in digital literacy online courses through the NITDA-Cisco Networking Academy platform to strengthen their competencies in teaching, research and administration.
To complement the online training, the agency is supporting an in-person masterclass on productivity tools, cybersecurity and generative artificial intelligence (AI), equipping participants with practical skills to improve workplace efficiency and promote 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 added that the programmes support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the goal of building a digitally skilled and inclusive Nigeria.
Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with WICE, noting that empowering women educators with relevant digital skills and technological tools would improve teaching and learning outcomes and contribute to developing a future-ready workforce.
Speaking at the conference, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, said the dual mandate of Colleges of Education offered opportunities to expand access to higher education, improve teacher training and equip graduates with skills to address emerging national and global challenges.
He stressed the need for sustained investment in educational infrastructure, research, digital learning, staff development and institutional capacity, noting that teacher education must adapt to technological advancements, artificial intelligence and changing labour market demands.
The governor also highlighted the contributions of women to educational development, while acknowledging challenges such as limited leadership opportunities, inadequate professional development funding and insufficient access to digital resources.
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.
Also speaking, WICE National President, Dr Magdaline Bisong, described the conference as a platform for professional renewal, knowledge sharing, networking and strategic collaboration.
She said the gathering focused on advancing teacher education for sustainable development and strengthening the personal and professional capacities of members.
Bisong reaffirmed the association’s commitment to building women’s capacity in education, strengthening professional networks and promoting collaboration to improve educational outcomes and contribute to national development.
