In an effort to improve Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), in collaboration with Cisco Academy, has launched an extensive training program aimed at equipping over 500 computer science lecturers with the skills required to implement newly developed Higher National Diploma (HND) programs.
These programmes are the outcome of unbundling the traditional HND Computer Science curriculum into specialised fields that meet the needs of today’s digital landscape.
The opening event for this landmark initiative was held online on the Cisco Webex platform, bringing together lecturers from 113 institutions around the country.
The event featured insightful remarks from important stakeholders, emphasising the necessity of training in improving educational quality in Nigeria’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions.
In his welcome remarks, Mr Aliyu Hassan Imafidor, General Manager of the NBTE Centre of Excellence for TVET, emphasised the importance of this training in preparing professors to effectively deliver the new HND programmes. He urged participants to fully engage in the programme, pointing out that the skills they gain will considerably improve their teaching abilities and contribute to the successful implementation of the new curricula.
Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje, NBTE’s Executive Secretary, formally opened the workshop, emphasising the training’s strategic importance.
“This programme is not just about capacity building; it is a crucial part of our broader initiative to modernize our TVET curricula and ensure that our graduates are prepared to meet the needs of today’s industries,” Bugaje stated.
The new HND programmes include; HND Cyber Security and Data Protection, HND Networking and Cloud Computing andHND Software and Web Development.
Additionally, Bugaje announced plans for an upcoming training session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) by Cisco, which will further prepare lecturers who will be implementing the new HND Artificial Intelligence (AI) curriculum to incorporate this transformative technology into their teaching and research.
He further stated that participation in this Cisco training, as well as similar NBTE training programmes, will be required for the resource inspection and accreditation of the new HND programmes. This guarantees that institutions are well-equipped to provide education that meets global standards.
On behalf of Cisco Academy, Project Manager Mr Imoh Akpan welcomed participants and emphasised Cisco’s long-standing commitment to education and capacity building.
He stated that over 20 million students globally have taken Cisco Networking Academy courses, and in Nigeria, over 540,000 students have enrolled, with 40% of them women. Since 2000, Cisco Academy in Nigeria has made significant contributions to the country’s education and socioeconomic sectors by collaborating with the government, industry partners, educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations across the country.
He advised Nigerian lecturers to improve their technical skills and keep up with the newest industry trends to ensure their skills remain relevant.
The training, conducted by the University of Jos Cisco Academy, is projected to have a significant impact on the quality of computer science education in Nigeria, aligning it with global trends and industry requirements.
As Nigeria progresses through the Fourth Industrial Revolution, programs like these are critical in ensuring that the country’s educational institutions create graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also industry-ready. The NBTE-Cisco collaboration demonstrates the value of collaboration in advancing education and preparing students for a fast-changing technological landscape.