Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) called for stronger digital training for teachers in a statement reported on March 16, 2026, following an education dialogue in Abuja, the country’s capital.
The agency said teachers needed the skills to help pupils assess information, recognise harmful online content and use digital services responsibly. The remarks were made at a meeting organised by the Development of Educational Action Network Initiative (DEAN).
Okay News reports that NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi was represented by Aristotle Onumo, the agency’s director of stakeholder management and partnerships.
Inuwa said access to online information had changed what students needed from their teachers. He argued that classroom instruction should include critical thinking and guidance on responsible digital behaviour, alongside the use of technology for learning.
NITDA linked the discussions to its Digital Literacy for All programme and partnerships with educational institutions. The exact date of the dialogue was not specified.
The agency said improving teachers’ digital abilities was part of preparing students for employment. It referred to Nigeria’s target of 70% digital literacy by 2027.
DEAN Executive Director Semiye Michael said the meeting examined both teacher competence and access to the infrastructure needed for digital learning.
“We need to strengthen teachers’ competence and provide them with access to the necessary digital infrastructure,” Michael said.
Michael said ideas from the discussions would be brought together in a policy guide for the education ministry and other agencies. Representatives of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited and private-sector organisations took part in the dialogue.
