The Federal Government has concluded plans to distribute Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to 15 federal and state Colleges of Education across Nigeria as part of a major education intervention supported by the Government of Japan.

The handover ceremony, scheduled for June 2, 2026, in Abuja, is being implemented under “The Project for Capacity-building of Teachers to Promote Continuous and Inclusive Access to Safe and Quality Education for Girls in West Africa.”

According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the initiative goes beyond the provision of digital tools and represents a strategic investment aimed at strengthening teacher education, promoting innovative teaching methods, and expanding inclusive learning opportunities, particularly for girls.

Funded by the Government of Japan through the UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (UNESCO-IICBA), the project seeks to address key educational challenges in West Africa, including low learning outcomes, high numbers of out-of-school children, gender disparities, learning poverty, and the shortage of qualified teachers.

The programme targets six countries in the sub-region and is designed to accelerate progress toward achieving quality, equitable and inclusive education through gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive approaches.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with the African Union International Centre for the Education of Girls and Women in Africa (AU/CIEFFA) and the African Union Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI) team based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Beneficiaries include the Federal Ministry of Education, teacher-training institutions, teacher educators, school inspectors, and primary and secondary school teachers across the country.

As part of the intervention, the Ministry will hand over 65 laptop computers with carrying cases, 71 tablets, four desktop computers, five interactive smart boards, 19 all-in-one desktop computers, 14 projectors, 15 printers, and 15 backup hard drives to the beneficiary institutions.

The colleges selected for the support programme are the Federal College of Education, Kontagora; Federal College of Education, Zaria; Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe; Federal College of Education, Yola; Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba; Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo; Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze; College of Education, Zuba, FCT; Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education; Enugu State College of Education (Technical); Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kano; Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu; Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto; Adamawa State College of Education, Hong; and Taraba State College of Education, Zing.

Education stakeholders expect the intervention to significantly improve access to quality education for girls by increasing the number of qualified teachers, promoting ICT integration in classrooms, enhancing teaching quality, and creating safer and more inclusive learning environments.

The project will also support the adoption of gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive pedagogies aimed at improving school retention and learning outcomes for female students.

Key implementation strategies include intensive teacher training, introduction of school safety guidelines, upgrading of infrastructure in teacher-training institutions, provision of digital learning tools, and the promotion of national and regional knowledge-sharing platforms to support evidence-based policymaking.

Meanwhile, UNESCO-IICBA and the Government of Japan have announced additional education-focused initiatives to strengthen learning opportunities for vulnerable populations and communities affected by crises.

One of the new interventions, titled “Empowering Female Teachers and School Leaders in Crisis Situations through Integrating Mobile-based Learning in the Pan African Virtual and Electronic University (PAVEU) Initiative,” will provide mobile-based learning solutions for female teachers and school leaders in crisis-affected areas.

The programme is being implemented in partnership with Japanese EdTech company Castalia Co., Ltd., and the African Union’s Pan African Virtual and Electronic University (PAVEU), led by the Pan African University.

Nigerian institutions selected for the initiative include Jigawa State College of Education, Gumel; Umar Ibn El-Kanemi Ibrahim College of Education Science and Technology, Bama; College of Education, Gashua; Federal University of Education, Pankshin; Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo; Federal College of Education, Ofeme Ohuhu, Abia State; Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Imo State; and Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa.

Another major intervention unveiled is “The Project for Enabling Out-of-School Children to Join Formal Education through Accelerated Learning,” which aims to reintegrate out-of-school children into formal education through flexible learning models that combine academic instruction with psychosocial support, life skills development, and safe learning environments.

The programme is expected to strengthen institutional capacity for accelerated learning, establish safe learning spaces for adolescent learners, enhance community advocacy for school reintegration, and promote evidence-based monitoring and evaluation for sustainable expansion.

The Federal Ministry of Education commended the Government of Japan, UNESCO-IICBA, the African Union, and other development partners for their continued support in advancing educational transformation in Nigeria and promoting inclusive, equitable and quality education for all.