Improving Online Learning for Students in Nigeria » Voice of Nigeria
Learn about Nigeria’s TETFund partnership with global EdTech firm Anthology to enhance online education for students. This collaboration aims to make online learning more accessible and efficient, using the Blackboard system for better management and interaction. Discover how this initiative will transform Nigerian education, benefiting both public and private institutions and connecting learners to a vast global library.
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in Nigeria is working with different countries and companies to make online education easier and cheaper for Nigerian students. They are partnering with Anthology, a big education technology company from the United States. This company helps over 150 million people in 80 countries with technology for education. They want to help students and teachers reach their goals with better and more informed online learning experiences.
Anthology visited TETFund to strengthen their partnership with the Nigerian government. Already, three million Nigerian students in 253 schools are using Anthology’s Blackboard Learn program. Anthology has been a leader in online education for over 20 years.
Sonny Echono, the head of TETFund, said during the visit that Blackboard will set up special centers in Nigeria for online learning. This will keep Nigeria ahead in using technology for education. Echono mentioned that after the COVID-19 pandemic, they don’t want to be unprepared again.
Echono also talked about the Blackboard system, part of TETFund’s new project TERAS. This system improves online learning and communication skills. It’s currently used by 253 public schools, and they plan to include private schools too. The Blackboard system helps manage everything from running schools to student admissions and provides educational content and live interactions. It also lets Nigerian institutions compare their methods with others globally.
Joe Belenardo, the president of Anthology, said Blackboard is helping students and ICT directors worldwide. The system has about 6,000 clients and 150 million students globally. It provides solutions, access to networks, and business opportunities for learners.
Ladipo Adedeji, the Anthology representative in Nigeria, explained that the system works both online and offline. It makes teaching and learning more efficient and modern. One of the big projects is giving students access to a global library, solving the problem of not having good study materials. Students can even learn local Nigerian languages at universities abroad because of this system.
The team also met with Nigeria’s Education Minister, Tahir Mamman. He said the partnership will overcome challenges like limited space in schools and lack of good learning materials. Mamman is excited about the project and promises support. He believes it will bring major changes in education, from basic to higher levels, and make education accessible to everyone through technology.
