The MTN Foundation, in partnership with the SAIL Empowerment Foundation, has trained 5,000 public school teachers across Nigeria under the MTN SAIL Teachers Fellowship Programme.
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The initiative is aimed at strengthening teachers’ digital skills and preparing educators to adopt technology and modern teaching methods in Nigerian classrooms.
The programme, which has now trained more than 10,000 teachers since its launch, focuses exclusively on educators in public primary and secondary schools across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the organisers, the latest cohort underwent intensive online training, assessments and practical classroom applications. From the 5,000 teachers who participated in the first phase, 500 were selected for a second phase of more intensive training.
A major feature of this year’s programme was the introduction of artificial intelligence into the curriculum through the involvement of Microsoft. The 500 teachers who completed the second phase became among the first Nigerian classroom teachers to receive formal training in AI-assisted teaching.
The training exposed educators to technology-enabled teaching approaches designed to help them use digital tools responsibly, improve classroom engagement and develop more innovative learning experiences for students.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Lagos, Co-founder of the SAIL Empowerment Foundation, Feyisola Abiru, said teachers remained central to the success of Nigeria’s education system, stressing the importance of investing in their professional development.
She said the fellowship began in 2022 and has expanded through its partnership with the MTN Foundation, reaching teachers across the country.
Lagos State Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, also described the programme as an important contribution to the development of a technology-driven education system.
She said quality education must go beyond the traditional classroom by equipping teachers and students with digital competence, creativity and the ability to adapt to technological changes.
Five of the graduating teachers who distinguished themselves during the programme were also recognised with brand-new laptops and laptop bags by the SAIL Foundation.
The organisers said the teachers are expected to take the knowledge and skills acquired during the fellowship back to their schools and share them with their students and fellow educators.
The programme is part of broader efforts by education stakeholders to strengthen teacher capacity and ensure Nigerian schools are better prepared for the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence in education.
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