First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has said that for Nigeria to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, it is important for students in schools across the country to be equipped with digital tools.
She stated this at the flag-off distribution of U-lesson tablets to primary and secondary schools in the nine states of the Niger Delta Region in Nigeria.
The programme is a partnership between the renewed Hope Initiative, RHI and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The First Lady noted that digital lesson devices are revolutionising education in underserved communities.
“These devices provide access to a wealth of educational resources that will empower students to learn at their own pace and style, in addition to classroom teachings. Rather than mere gadgets of recreation, these tablets serve as powerful teaching tools that foster academic excellence, creativity, and innovation.
“By harnessing the power of digital learning resources, it will enhance students’ engagement, streamline curriculum development and accessibility, and ultimately boost student performance and achievement,” the First Lady said.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu commended the fact that the U-Lesson education software is meticulously tailored to align with the Nigerian educational system, ensuring relevance and effectiveness in local context.
“One of the prominent features of this software is its offline video library, which allows learners to play, pause, and rewind educational content without the need for an internet connection. Additionally, the software includes parental controls and a long battery life of up to 18 hours, making it a reliable and safe tool for both students and teachers,” she said.
The First Lady noted that as the education software, services, and tablets, are distributed, remarkable progress is being made in the education sector.
“We are taking a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
“By equipping our schools with these digital tools, we are not only supplementing traditional face-to-face instruction but also empowering students to master their materials and perform better in their tests and examinations, as we believe that every student in Nigeria deserves access to quality education, and government is dedicated to providing the necessary resources to make that a reality.
“This programme is also in alignment with the Federal Government’s Digital Policy which seeks to create an innovative digital learning ecosystem, foster local skills development and sustainable systems deployment. This is indeed, catching them young. Nigeria cannot afford to be left out of the global village,” Senator Tinubu said.
In addition to the distribution of these tablets, the NDDC has also employed the services of a consultant to train teachers in the use of U-Lesson tablets for effectiveness across the nine mandate states and Nigeria in general.
“To the students, I hope that these tablets will inspire you to dream big, work hard, and achieve your goals. Remember, education is the key to unlocking your potential and shaping your future,” she said.
The First Lady implored the students, teachers and parents who she said are all stakeholders, to embrace this opportunity with great enthusiasm and optimism. Let us encourage our children to study and learn on these devices.
Managing Director of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, outlined the significance of this initiative.
“This is just the first phase of our project. We recognise that there are more than 45,000 students in the Niger Delta who need access to these resources, and we will continue to engage U-Lesson to produce more tablets for our students,” he said.
Ogbuku stressed that investing in digital technology is crucial for creating equality in education, especially as many school buildings in the region require renovation.
“Unlike physical structures, digital tools do not need constant renovation,” he said.
Dr Ogbuku highlighted the importance of preparing students for global competition.
“We’ve seen that many of our postgraduate students struggle with digital learning when they go abroad.
“By introducing these tablets at an early age, we are equipping our children with essential skills to thrive in a digital world,” the NDDC MD said.
Addressing concerns about equitable distribution, Ogbuku assured that the NDDC is committed to delivering tablets to functional schools rather than merely distributing them politically.
“We are collaborating with the Renewed Hope Initiative and state education ministries to ensure that these resources reach deserving students,” he said.
Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh expressed optimism about the collaboration.
“This partnership represents a shared vision of prosperity and self-reliance for every child, youth, and woman in our communities,” he said.
Mommoh stressed that the initiative targets critical areas of sustainable development, including education, health, youth empowerment, women’s empowerment, and agriculture.
There was the symbolic presentation of the U-Lesson tablets to some of the students present at the event which also had in attendance. The Wife of the Vice-President, Hajia Nana Shettima, wives of State Governors and students representatives from the 9 states that make up the region.
