At the celebration of the 2024 International Children’s Day, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has canvassed for the digitalisation of education in Nigeria to prepare schoolchildren for modern challenges.
Speaking at an event organized by the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Akpoti-Uduaghan highlighted the benefits of digital learning, citing Rwanda and Ghana as successful examples.
She announced the distribution of 5,000 digital devices to public schools in her constituency and pledged to equip a secondary school in the FCT with similar tools.
“Digital education simplifies learning and ensures every child has access to the best resources,” she noted.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content, the senator has championed education reforms and capacity building to empower Nigerian youth.
According to her, the significance of digitisation of education cannot be ignored if school children must cope up with the realities of life.
She stressed that every child has the right to education, regardless of their background.
The senator highlighted the benefits of digital learning, citing examples from Rwanda and Ghana where most public primary and secondary schools have already gone digital.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also shared her efforts to promote digital education in her community.
“Education is a fundamental right, and the future of education lies in its digitalisation.
Over the past three weeks, I have commissioned 5,000 digital learning devices, which have been distributed to public primary and secondary schools in Kogi Central. Embracing digitalisation in education is essential.
“As you sit here today, remember that your colleagues in Rwanda and Ghana have successfully transformed their public primary and secondary schools into digital learning environments. What does this mean? It means simplifying education and making the best educational resources accessible to every child,” she stated.
Additionally, she pledged to equip one public secondary school in the FCT with digital learning devices.
The senator’s advocacy for digital education is part of her broader commitment to empowering Nigerian youth. She has been a vocal advocate for education and has worked to promote local content and capacity building in various sectors.
As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, Akpoti-Uduaghan has met with representatives from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and Bank of Industry (BoI) to strengthen capacity building and collaboration.
Her efforts aim to enhance synergy between government agencies and maximise impact on Nigerian beneficiaries.
In attendance are Senator Ireti Kingibie, Senator Neda Imasuen, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, Senator Ipalibo Banigo, Minister of Women Affairs, ably represented by the Permanent Director of Child Development, Association of Society Engineers, amongst others.