Professor Maitafsir…DG NTI, Kaduna
The newly appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, has praised the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) in Kaduna for its proactive approach to strengthening teacher education in Nigeria. He commended the Institute’s bold efforts to embrace digital transformation in response to the growing need for innovation in education.
Dr. Alausa, represented by Dr. Iyabode Fatima Ali, Deputy Director of Colleges of Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the NTI’s second annual National Conference in Kaduna on Tuesday, November 12.
The Minister highlighted the relevance and timeliness of the conference’s theme, “E-facilitation Delivery System in Nigerian Schools: Prospects, Challenges, and the Way Forward,” stressing the importance of keeping Nigeria’s education system aligned with technological advancements. He emphasized that leveraging these tools could significantly enhance learning outcomes across the country.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the commitment of the Tinubu administration to prioritize education at all levels, stating that an educated and empowered population is key to the nation’s progress and stability. He expressed the government’s dedication to implementing policies that improve access to education, ensure quality, and foster innovation in educational institutions.
The Minister also pointed out that the conference’s theme underscored the urgent need for transforming classrooms, utilizing digital tools, and creating learning environments that better prepare students for a digitally driven world.
In his welcome address, Prof. Musa Garba Maitafsir, Director and Chief Executive of NTI, shared that the Institute is adopting a blended approach, combining e-facilitation with traditional face-to-face teaching. “We are advancing in e-teaching, e-supervision, and preparing for e-examinations,” he noted, adding that while NTI was historically more administrative, it is now evolving to meet international standards.
While acknowledging the need for conventional skills, Prof. Maitafsir emphasized that technology is here to stay, and NTI is working to stay ahead of the curve in digital education.
Hajiya Adama Abdullahi Wada, Director of Higher Education in the Kaduna State Ministry of Education, conveyed the Governor of Kaduna State’s commendation of NTI’s innovative strides under Prof. Maitafsir’s leadership, noting the transformation of the Institute into a digital institution.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, echoed the importance of adopting technology, emphasizing that in today’s digital age, it is not just an option, but a necessity.
Hon. Sagir Musa Ahmed, Commissioner for Information, Sports, Youth, and Culture in Jigawa State, also highlighted that Jigawa State had already embraced e-facilitation in its schools.
The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, represented by Alhaji Jibril Muhammad Magaji, District Head of Kawo, Kaduna, discussed the potential benefits of e-facilitation but cautioned about challenges such as frequent power outages and varying literacy levels, which could impede its wider implementation.
Other dignitaries at the event included representatives from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna Polytechnic, and the College of Technical and Vocational Education, among others.
