Lapai, Niger State (Nigeria): In a bold move to modernize the nation’s education system, the Federal Government has inaugurated Nigeria’s first National Educational Technology (EdTech) Strategy, designed to drive digital learning transformation across schools and institutions.
Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, Minister of State for Education, stated this during the 4th Annual Conference of the Faculty of Natural Sciences (FONSAC 2025) at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), Niger.
Ahmed, represented by Prof. Oluwole Morenikeji, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, stated that the President Bola Tinubu administration had introduced new academic programmes to enhance the standard of the nation’s university education.
He said the programmes were artificial intelligence, data science, robotics, cybersecurity, biotechnology and renewable energy engineering.
Ahmed stated that the initiative aimed to enhance productivity, create jobs, and strengthen the nation’s capacity to address emerging global challenges.
“The focus on technology-driven education is a deliberate step by the Federal Government to ensure that Nigerian youths remain competitive in a rapidly changing world.
“I urge researchers to commercialise their innovations and utilise TETFund’s research and development grants to secure patents and scale their scientific solutions,” he said.
Prof. Mohammed Suleiman, Vice-Chancellor of IBBUL, stated that the conference theme, ‘Advancing Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Nigeria,’ reflected IBBUL’s commitment to national growth through impactful research.
Suleiman, representing Prof. Muhammad Niworo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), said that strengthening local research capacity was essential for sustainable development.
He commended Governor Umaru Bago of Niger for his support of the state’s education and infrastructure development.
“The university remains committed to driving innovation and collaboration in areas that address national priorities such as energy, environment, agriculture, health and emerging technologies,” he said.
Other speakers, including the Registrar, Alhaji Idris Kusherki, represented by Hajiya Amina Ndayako, and the Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Prof. Musa Mohammed, stressed the need for scientific knowledge to be applied in solving societal problems.The conference attracted participants from across the country and featured presentations of research papers to be published in the Lapai Journal of Applied and Natural Sciences (LAJANS).
