Stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector have urged the development of a policy framework to facilitate the seamless integration of technology into the country’s educational system.
This call was made during the November edition of Edtech Mondays, a collaborative initiative between the Co-Creation Hub (CCHub) and the Mastercard Foundation’s Centre for Innovative Teaching & Learning in ICT. The session, themed “The Role of Policy in Advancing Edtech in Nigeria,” was moderated by Chinyelu Akpa, Practice Lead for Education at CCHub.
Idris Oladipupo, founder of the Universal Basic Education Digital Museum, emphasized the need for a holistic policy change to address the challenges facing educational technology in Nigeria. He remarked, “The numbers speak for themselves. We have 7.2 million out-of-school children in primary schools, 47 million children unable to read, and a shortage of qualified teachers. A comprehensive policy is not just necessary; it’s urgent if we want to address these challenges and leverage technology to improve access and quality in education.”
Bridget Iyere, product and operations lead at eLimu, highlighted the difficulties in providing curriculum-aligned content for Nigerian children. She said, “The biggest challenge is creating educationally engaging games and content that align with our curriculum. Technology should not replace education but complement it. Beyond providing infrastructure and devices, we must ensure that technology enhances learning outcomes.”
Iyere also stressed the need for government involvement in edtech funding and policy formulation, stating, “The government’s role is pivotal, not just in adopting technology but also in funding its implementation. We need a unified curriculum across public and private schools to ensure consistency in what students are learning nationwide.”
Damilola Oguntunde, founder of Harde Business School, advised the government to create a supportive environment for advancing education through technology. He warned about the negative impact of unbalanced technology usage, saying, “The overconsumption of technology is partly responsible for the high failure rates in qualifying exams. Educators and parents need to guide students toward balanced usage, especially within our cultural context.”
Oguntunde also outlined the essential infrastructure needed for meaningful progress, adding, “Regular power supply, affordable data, reliable broadband, and access to devices are non-negotiable. With the right methodology, resources, and content, we can transform the quality of education and drive meaningful development in this country.”
The session concluded with a consensus among the experts that strong policy frameworks, government involvement, and community engagement are key to unlocking the potential of technology in Nigeria’s education sector.
