By 
By Chinedu James
The Nigerian government is launching a smart classroom and digital education initiative across the country today as part of government’s efforts to revitalise the education sector through ICT.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire said the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is anchoring the launch to serve as a model technology-based classroom.
According to Orelope-Adefulire, the initiative which will be implemented in partnership with a Chinese digital giant, NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited is in accordance to the government’s commitment to providing an improved quality education to Nigerian children as stipulated in Goal 4 of the SDGs.
She stated that the initiative will birth more projects that will foster growth in the education sector while noting that the pilot phase of the initiative will be at Pilot Science Nursery/Primary School, Abuja.
“The initiative of Digital Education in Africa otherwise known as IDEA was initiated by the Nigerian Government and NetDragon through the Public-Private Partnership and direct foreign investment that will facilitate the setting up of the National Education Resource Public Service Platform, National Education Community Network Platform, National Digital Talent Training Platform and National Future Education Experience Centre,” she said.
Orelope-Adefulire further stated that the initiative leveraging technology will improve the standard of the education sector in Nigeria while ensuring that the SDGs relating to education are accomplished. She also added that initiative intends to empower all learners with knowledge an skills needed to promote the growth of sustainable development.
“In terms of lifelong education, the Talent Training Platform will carry out lifelong skills training and intelligent management of talents in Nigeria to help Nigeria achieve talent upgrading and optimal allocation of social resources.
With the initiative, our aim is to use technology to drive the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals 4, 8, and 9 regarding Quality Education, Economic Growth as well as industry & Innovation, thereby creating jobs through the E-Learning Platforms, Educational Software and Apps as well as other innovations. By 2030, we want to ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development,” said the SDG boss.
An Agreement of Cooperation (AoC) is expected to be signed between the Federal Government and NetDragon, represented by its chairman, Dejian Liu at the formal launch.
