The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has provided high-specification HP OmniBook laptops to the National Association of Women in Colleges of Education (WICE) to strengthen administrative efficiency and improve digital literacy among women educators in Nigeria.
The initiative also includes the enrolment of 1,135 WICE members in online digital literacy courses through the NITDA-Cisco Networking Academy platform, equipping them with skills to enhance teaching, research and administrative performance.
NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa announced the interventions at the 30th Annual National Conference of WICE, held under the theme “Dual Mandate: Global Impact; Reimagining Teacher Education for Sustainable Development.”
Inuwa said the laptops would support better documentation, information management, communication, coordination and collaboration among the association’s leadership and members.
He added that NITDA was supporting an in-person masterclass covering productivity tools, cybersecurity and generative artificial intelligence (AI) to complement the online training. The sessions are expected to provide participants with practical skills to improve workplace efficiency and promote responsible technology use.
According to Inuwa, the interventions align with Nigeria’s National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) 2023, which targets 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030. The initiative also supports the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and broader efforts to build a digitally skilled and inclusive society.
Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with WICE, noting that access to digital tools and relevant technology skills would help women educators improve teaching and learning outcomes while contributing to the development of 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 presented opportunities to expand access to higher education, improve teacher training and equip graduates to address emerging national and global challenges.
He emphasised the need for sustained investment in educational infrastructure, research, digital learning, staff development and institutional capacity. He also noted that teacher education must respond to technological advancements, artificial intelligence and changing labour market demands.
The governor acknowledged the contributions of women to educational development but highlighted persistent challenges, including limited leadership opportunities, inadequate funding for professional development and insufficient access to digital resources.
He called for stronger partnerships between Colleges of Education and schools to ensure teacher preparation programmes remain relevant to learners’ needs and societal expectations.
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 was focused on advancing teacher education for sustainable development while strengthening members’ personal and professional capacities.
Bisong reaffirmed the association’s commitment to building the capacity of women in education, strengthening professional networks and promoting collaboration to improve educational outcomes and contribute to national development.
The interventions highlight the growing role of digital technology in teacher education and institutional management in Nigeria. By combining access to digital devices with structured training, NITDA and WICE aim to strengthen educators’ technology skills and support more effective teaching, research and administration across Colleges of Education.
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