The Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) has given 100% support for the first Education-Technology Conference in Nigeria, planned to bring to fore the application of technology and innovation as the key ingredients for transformation of formal education system in the country.
The Director General, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Bunmi Afolabi made this known to Tech Editors on Monday stating that the forum with the theme: “Education, Technology & Jobs: A Synergy that works”, is apt and timely for the nation’s knowledge on new tech-economy growth and youth empowerment.
The Director General confirmed that the forum championed by EduFirstNg- (foremost Education Technology company) will parade policy makers, captain of industries, and key stakeholders in the education and technology sectors as resourceful panelists for the June 20th conference slated for Havilah Event Centre, Victoria Island in Lagos.
Providing background to the thrust of the forum he explained that, “Nigeria’s population is currently touted to be over 200 million based on United Nations estimate with an average age of 17.9 years making us one of the youngest countries in the world. Having a share of 2.6% of the world’s population, it is imperative that the narrative is changed from what it is now to absorb the immense growth that is upon us.
“By 2050, the country is projected to be well over 400 million people. We understand no country rises above its’ level of education; therefore, we are contributing our own quota to the ongoing conversation of an overhaul of the sector using technology as the driver for the actualization as we are in the age of the future.
“The Conference would address the future outputs (Generation Y & Z) of the Nigerian educational system and ensure that they are prepared to be fully integrated into the world of work, can compete with global standards on Nigerian soil and are relevant in future endeavours. This would cumulatively increase the economic value of the average Nigerian and the nation’s per capita income.”
According to the Digital Innovation & Country Manager, EduFirst Ng; Idris Oladipo, the deliberation of the day which is expected to provide valuable insights for government and private stakeholders are on three thematic areas of; Education, Technology and Jobs.
“These three thematic areas will form the basis of deliberation on; Closing the Employment Gap, Universities as Catalyst for Innovation & Development, and Technology and the Future of Learning Curricular,” he said.
According to the Edutech Country Manager who also confirmed that the 2019 African Edu-Tech Conference has been officially endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education and dignitaries from other notable education and other corresponding government parastatals added that highpoint of the forum would be .the Student Pitch Competition.
He said, “Students drawn forum various schools of the country would have the rare opportunity to pitch their ideas and creative innovation to angel investors, talent hunts scouts, tech experts and concerned individuals and organisations that are passionate about education, and future of education in Nigeria.”
- Find Below Some of the Speakers Confirmed for the Forum
1. Arc Sunny Echono, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education
2. Prince Abimbola Olashore – Chairman, Board of Governors; Olashore International School
3. Prof ‘Niran Adetoro – The Director, Academic Planning and Quality Assurance and Research, Tai-Solarin University of Education, Ijebu, Ogun State.
4. Mrs Lande Atere – Head, First Academy; First Bank
5. Dr Stephen Oluwatobi – Curator, Hebron Lab; Covenant University
6. Prof Chantal Epie – Dean, School of Management and Social Sciences, Pan African University
7. Emeka Okoye – Semantic Architect & Consultant (Cymanticks)
8. Kendra Nnachi – Startup and Developers Program Manager, Facebook Nigeria 9. Yomi Adedeji – Co-founder, Softcom Limited
