By Progress Godfrey

ABUJA — Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has said teachers will play a decisive role in shaping Nigeria’s digital future, stressing that classrooms remain the foundation for preparing a technology-ready generation.

According to a statement by the agency on Monday, Inuwa, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Dr Aristotle Onumo, spoke on the theme “Nigeria’s Current Digital Landscape: Our Reality and Its Practical Connection to Education.” He said educators are central to the country’s digital transformation, as the growing digital economy continues to redefine learning and workforce demands.

He noted that the rapid spread of digital technologies is transforming the education sector, making it necessary for teachers to adopt new approaches that align with modern learning environments.

The NITDA boss made the remarks at a stakeholders’ dialogue organised by the Development of Educational Action Network Initiative (DEAN) in Abuja, where education and technology stakeholders discussed the link between Nigeria’s digital landscape and the future of learning.

“Teachers are no longer just instructors; they are now guides who help students identify credible information, avoid harmful online content, and develop responsible digital behaviour,” he said, explaining that while digital tools have opened unprecedented access to information and opportunities for students, they also come with risks that require careful guidance.

According to him, teachers must help students develop critical thinking and responsible online behaviour while equipping them with the digital skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven world.

Earlier, Executive Director of DEAN Initiative, Semiye Michael, said the dialogue was designed to strengthen teachers’ capacity to meet the demands of the evolving digital economy.

He noted that improving teachers’ digital competence and providing the necessary infrastructure would be crucial to enabling technology-driven learning across Nigerian schools.

“We need to strengthen teachers’ competence and provide them with access to the necessary digital infrastructure,” Michael said, describing the workshop as an awesome experience. He added that the ideas generated would be consolidated into a policy guide for the ministry and other relevant agencies.

The event brought together key stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), as well as private sector experts.