The National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Students (NANCES) has called for the expansion of the Electronic Education Initiative (E-DON) across Colleges of Education to enhance teachers’ capacity to impact learners and improve Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, the National President of NANCES, Kur Isaac Ushahemba, said that the teacher digitalisation project, which started in 2018, needs to be strengthened and expanded beyond its current scope.
“Nigeria needs to fully key into the teacher’s digitalisation project like many countries across the globe because of the inherent advantages,” he said.
On behalf of the association, Ushahemba urged Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Education, and other stakeholders to expedite action on the initiative.
“NANCES is calling on the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFUND, the Committee of Provosts for Colleges of Education, and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) to further strengthen the digitalisation of teacher education in Nigeria.
“Digitalising the education system of this country will make us meet the global standard of education. At least we’ll be able to compete with other countries. And that is why we see it as a great priority to take up this agitation,” he added.
Ushahemba also said the association is seeking partners to support and enhance the digitisation process, ensuring Nigeria keep pace with countries that have advanced in the initiative.
He highlighted the impact of the E-DON project so far, noting that it has advanced digital education across tertiary institutions, empowered universities, polytechnics, and particularly colleges of education with tools to enhance global learning, modern teaching methods, and seamless classroom interaction.
“Nigeria’s Colleges of Education are witnessing a historic transformation, where technology now shapes not only how lecturers teach, but how students learn, collaborate, and engage both within and beyond the classroom,” he said.
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Ushahemba commended President Tinubu for improved policy direction and curriculum enhancement in the education sector, emphasising that no nation can rise above the quality of its teachers.
He also applauded TETFUND for its interventions in infrastructure, training, and research, as well as the Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Education for their advocacy and collaboration aimed at enhancing and sustaining the colleges.
The chairman of the Stakeholders’ Forum of NANCES, Ambassador Muhammed Abubakar, said the call for expansion is necessary to enable teachers and aspiring teachers to meet global standards.
He commended the electronic infrastructure provided so far and advocated for further improvements.
“We now have the introduction of the 98-inch electronic interactive board in our classrooms, which we see as a perfect way for our students, our aspiring teachers, to interact with their colleagues across the globe. And that will make Nigeria continue to produce not normal teachers, but teachers that meet global and international standards,” he said.
The association views the E-DON initiative as a trailblazing contribution to Nigeria’s digital transformation in higher education, particularly in colleges of education, equipping future teachers with advanced learning tools and global classroom exposure.