By Ghazali Ibrahim
The MTN Foundation and SAIL Empowerment Foundation have trained 5,000 public school teachers in Inquiry-Based Learning and artificial intelligence-assisted teaching.
The initiative, under the second cohort of the MTN-SAIL Teachers’ Fellowship, introduced a formal AI component for the first time, with Microsoft providing the curriculum through the MTN Foundation.
Five hundred teachers selected for the second phase of the programme graduated on Thursday at the MTN Roof-Top Event Hall, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos, while other members of the graduating class participated virtually from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The organisers said the graduating teachers are among the first group of Nigerian public school educators to receive formal training on the responsible use of AI in teaching.
Speaking at the ceremony, Co-Founder of SAIL Empowerment Foundation, Feyisola Abiru, said the programme was designed around the belief that teachers remain the key link between education policies and Nigerian children.
Abiru said the fellowship, which began in 2022, had now trained more than 10,000 public school teachers across Nigeria.
She said the latest cohort comprised entirely public school teachers, particularly educators from communities where access to professional development opportunities is limited.
According to her, the teachers could become “multipliers” in the education system, noting that if each of the 5,000 teachers reaches an average of 80 pupils annually, the programme could indirectly affect about 400,000 children in one year.
She urged the graduands to apply the skills acquired during the fellowship in their classrooms, share the knowledge with other teachers and remain active within the SAIL alumni network.
Three outstanding graduands were recognised for their commitment and application of the training. Each received a laptop and laptop bag from the SAIL Empowerment Foundation.
The foundation also announced plans to establish a permanent SAIL Alumni Network and launch the “SAIL: Where Are You Now?” campaign to reconnect with past fellows.
The inaugural SAIL Founders’ Day and Alumni Celebration is scheduled for December.
The foundation further disclosed that its SAIL Innovation Lab and Sport Centre, currently under construction in Orimedu, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, would include a dedicated Teachers’ Lounge.
Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to the Teachers’ Fellowship, saying its focus was to improve the quality of primary and secondary education in Nigeria.
She said the use of Inquiry-Based Learning had helped make classroom lessons more participatory while improving learning outcomes.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake, commended the founders and partners for investing in teacher development and human capacity.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, also praised Senator Tokunbo Abiru for his contributions to education in Lagos.
The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described SAIL Empowerment Foundation as a partner in promoting innovation, digital skills and future-ready employment opportunities for young people in the state.
