In an effort to enhance educational outcomes in Kebbi State, Nigeria, the United States Department of State’s Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) has initiated a comprehensive training program aimed at equipping 100 secondary school teachers with knowledge and skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The training commenced on Monday in Birnin Kebbi, under the leadership of Mrs. Adanma Odefa, the Project Lead for the AI for Educators initiative.
Mrs. Odefa emphasized that the primary goal of this training is to leverage AI technology to create a more effective and engaging learning environment for students.
She highlighted the vital role of education in national development, stating, “Education is the key to the success of any nation, and Nigeria’s young people are its greatest resources, holding the promise of a more prosperous future for this great country.”
Odefa also noted that the U.S. Department of State is committed to supporting educational initiatives that strengthen human capital, contributing to inclusive economic growth and human development in Nigeria.
“We support educational initiatives like this and remain dedicated to fostering human capital for inclusive Nigerian economic growth and development,” she said.
She encouraged the participating teachers to fully embrace this opportunity, as it would equip them with the necessary skills to enhance the quality of education they provide.
The AI for Educators project, which has been launched in only two Nigerian states, Ebonyi and Kebbi, aims to empower teachers with the tools and knowledge to integrate AI responsibly into their teaching methods.
Mrs. Odefa explained that Kebbi State was selected for this pilot project due to its ongoing efforts in teacher recruitment, making it an ideal location to advocate for the responsible use of AI in education.
“We see this as a significant opportunity to emphasize the importance of using AI responsibly as a teaching tool. That is one of the reasons we chose Kebbi,” Odefa stated.
She reassured the participants that the training would not end with the workshop. The teachers would be integrated into a specially designed platform where they would have access to various educational tools and continuous mentorship.
“We are not going to train the teachers and leave them alone; we are going to connect them through a platform where they will have ongoing access to tools and mentorship,” she added.
The Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry for Basic and Secondary School Education, Alhaji Abubakar Nayelwa, officially inaugurated the training program.
He expressed his deep appreciation to the U.S. government and its partners for their commitment to improving the skills of teachers in Kebbi State. “This workshop will further enhance educational outcomes in Kebbi,” Nayelwa remarked.
The AI training initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the quality of education in Kebbi State, as it equips teachers with cutting-edge tools and techniques to better prepare their students for the future.
