By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Federal Government, in partnership with the UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (UNESCO-IICBA) and the Pan African University (PAU), has launched a mobile learning initiative aimed at enhancing the professional development of teachers and school leaders, with a special focus on empowering female educators across Africa.
The programme, which commenced on Tuesday, 21 July, 2026, in Abuja, is a three-day Master Training Programme themed: “Empowering Female Teachers and School Leaders through Integrating Mobile-based Learning in the Pan-African Virtual and Electronic University (PAVEU) Initiative.”
The training, scheduled to end on Thursday, 23 July, 2026, is designed to equip educators with innovative digital learning tools capable of improving teaching quality and learning outcomes.
Funded by the Government of Japan, the initiative is being implemented across five African countries Algeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria and South Sudan — under the coordination of UNESCO-IICBA.
The Federal Ministry of Education said the programme seeks to expand access to continuous professional development for teachers through flexible, technology-driven learning platforms that can be accessed regardless of location.
According to the ministry, the initiative leverages mobile technology to address long-standing barriers confronting educators, including time limitations, geographical constraints and inadequate learning infrastructure.
It explained that the PAVEU platform enables teachers and school leaders to access quality learning resources anytime and anywhere through a low-data, offline-friendly system, thereby making professional development more accessible and inclusive.
The ministry noted that strengthening teacher capacity remains critical to improving the quality of education and achieving better learning outcomes across schools.
It further stated that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to deploying digital innovation to build a resilient, inclusive and future-ready education system capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly changing world.
The Ministry reaffirmed that accessible professional development opportunities are essential for equipping teachers with modern skills, improving classroom delivery and enhancing overall educational standards.
The collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education, UNESCO-IICBA and the Pan African University is expected to deepen digital learning, promote professional excellence among educators and strengthen teacher development across participating African countries.
Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, said the initiative underscores the government’s determination to improve teacher quality through innovative and sustainable approaches that support continuous learning and professional growth.
