FG unveils mobile learning initiative for female teachers

The Federal Government has partnered with the UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa and the Pan-African University to launch a mobile learning initiative aimed at strengthening the professional development of teachers, particularly women, across Nigeria and four other African countries.

The initiative was unveiled on Monday with the commencement of a three-day Master Training Programme in Abuja, designed to equip teachers and school leaders with innovative mobile learning tools to improve the quality of education.

According to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the programme is themed, “Empowering Female Teachers and School Leaders through Integrating Mobile-based Learning in the Pan-African Virtual and Electronic University (PAVEU) Initiative,” and will run from July 21 to July 23, 2026.

The initiative is funded by the Government of Japan and forms part of UNESCO-IICBA’s efforts to expand access to continuous professional development for educators across the continent.

The ministry’s statement partly read, “The Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (UNESCO-IICBA) and the Pan-African University (PAU), has commenced a three-day Master Training Programme to strengthen teacher professional development through innovative mobile learning technologies.

“The programme, themed ‘Empowering Female Teachers and School Leaders through Integrating Mobile-based Learning in the Pan-African Virtual and Electronic University (PAVEU) Initiative,’ is being held in Abuja from 21 to 23 July 2026.

“Funded by the Government of Japan, the UNESCO-IICBA initiative targets five African countries—Algeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria and South Sudan—and seeks to expand access to quality continuous professional development, particularly for female teachers and school leaders, through flexible and technology-driven learning.”

The ministry explained that the programme is designed to address longstanding barriers limiting teachers’ access to professional training, including poor infrastructure, geographical challenges and time constraints.

It added, “The initiative leverages mobile technology to overcome barriers such as time constraints, geographical limitations and inadequate infrastructure, enabling educators to access quality learning resources anytime and anywhere through a low-data, offline-friendly platform.”

Nigeria has in recent years intensified efforts to improve teacher quality through digital education reforms, recognising that continuous professional development is critical to raising learning standards and achieving better educational outcomes.

The government has also continued to collaborate with international development partners to strengthen teacher training and integrate technology into teaching and learning.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to education reform, the ministry said, “The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to improving teacher quality through digital innovation, noting that accessible professional development is essential to strengthening learning outcomes and building a resilient, inclusive and future-ready education system.”