NDDC revolutionising education in Niger Delta with U-Lesson tablets

DENNIS NAKU writes on the new innovation introduced to the education sector of the Niger Delta region with the U-Lesson tablets by the Niger Delta Development Commission in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative of the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu

Something new is taking shape in the educational sector, especially at the primary and secondary school levels, in the Niger Delta region.

The change is riding on the wings of technology and innovation.

This new innovation and transformation is driven by the Niger Delta Development Commission, which is acting true to its resolve to “transit from transaction to transformation.”

The intervention agency is leveraging on digital learning resources to enhance education in the Niger Delta region in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals Four – SDGG-4 – which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

To bring this goal to reality, it is imperative to emphasise providing Nigerian students with the necessary digital tools and equipment to support their educational growth and advancement.

It is in fulfilment of this that the NDDC is collaborating with the Renewed Hope Initiative, the pet project of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to give verve to its efforts.

The partnership has come alive with the launching of a large-scale digital education initiative aimed at distributing 45,000 U-Lesson tablets to primary and secondary schools across the nine states in the Niger Delta region.

Apparently excited by the development, the wife of the President, Senator Tinubu, had some kind words for the NDDC board and management while speaking during the launching of the U-Lesson tablets innovation at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.

Senator Tinubu lauded the NDDC chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, and the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, for the initiative, entailing the distribution of the U-Lesson tablets in the primary and secondary schools in the nine states of the Niger Delta region.

Tinubu said the U-Lesson tablets initiative highlighted the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for the development of the Niger Delta region.

She said, “Digital lesson devices are revolutionising education in underserved communities. These devices provide access to a wealth of educational resources that will empower students to learn at their own pace, in addition to classroom teachings.

“I was informed that the U-Lesson education software is tailored to align with the Nigerian educational system, ensuring relevance and effectiveness in our local context.”

She further said that using electronic tablets would enhance education in the region, and by distributing the educational software, services and tablets, “we are taking a significant step towards achieving the UN goals for education.”

Tinubu expressed added that the digital learning resources “will enhance students’ engagement, streamline curriculum development and accessibility, and ultimately boost student performance and achievement.”

Tinubu noted that digital devices were transforming educational access in underserved communities, providing resources that foster academic excellence, creativity, and innovation.

She also praised the U-Lesson software for its alignment with the Nigerian curriculum, stressing the importance of its offline video library, which allowed students to learn without internet connectivity, and other features like parental controls and extended battery life.

She added, “This initiative also aligns with the Federal Government’s Digital Policy, which aims to create an innovative digital learning ecosystem, foster local skills development, and establish sustainable systems. Nigeria cannot afford to be left out of the global village.”

Welcoming guests to the event, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Ogbuku, stressed the need to prioritise digital learning to create equal educational opportunities, particularly as many regional school facilities required repairs.

He said, “Unlike physical structures, digital tools do not need constant renovation.”

The NDDC Managing Director/CEO also said the event underscored the unwavering commitment of the interventionist agency to the holistic development of the region.

He stated, “In addition to the distribution of these tablets, the NDDC has also employed the services of a consultant to train teachers in the use of the U-Lesson tablets for effectiveness across the nine mandate states and nationwide.

“Over the years, we have built schools, but most schools are dilapidated and need renovation. These digital devices will educate our children and boost innovative skills.”

Ogbuku observed that distributing the education tools was a practical demonstration of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He added that the U-Lesson tablets initiative was not merely about providing digital devices but “it is a significant leap forward in our commitment to integrating technology into the educational processes that shape our children’s future.”

He said, “The software includes parental controls and a long battery life of up to 18 hours, making it a reliable and safe tool for students and educators.

“By equipping our schools with these digital tools, we supplement traditional face-to-face instruction and empower students to master their materials and perform better in their tests and examinations. We believe that every student in our region deserves access to quality education.”

Advising the students, Ogbuku added, “We hope that these tablets will inspire you to dream big, work hard, and achieve your goals. Education is the key to unlocking your potential and shaping your future.”

The PUNCH reports that one of the software’s standout features is its offline video library, which allows learners to play, pause, and rewind educational content without needing an internet connection.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, expressed optimism about the collaboration’s potential to uplift communities.

Momoh said, “This partnership represents a shared vision of prosperity and self-reliance for every child, youth, and woman in our communities.”

With the symbolic handover of the U-Lesson tablets to several students in attendance, in the presence of prominent and notable figures like the wife of the Vice-President, Hajia Nana Shettima, and wives of governors from the Niger Delta states, the event concluded on a high note, marking a milestone for digital inclusion in Nigeria’s education sector.

The chairman of the board of the NDDC, Chiedu Ebie, emphasised the commission’s commitment to forming strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders.

He stated, “At NDDC, we aim to partner with the right people because we seek to change the narrative.”

He also conveyed the determination of the board and management of the NDDC to monitor and evaluate the distribution of the U-Lesson tablets in the region.

He added, “It is essential to assess the outcomes concerning the cognitive and learning abilities of the children. This way, we can ultimately determine the benefits of these tablets.”

The founder of U-Lesson Education Resource and Managing Director of the U-Lesson Group, Mr. Sim Shagaya, stated that giving the tablets to pupils and students in the Niger Delta region would put the children on equal footing with those from wealthier backgrounds.

Shagaya noted that the tablets distributed by the NDDC were the largest investment in education technology by any government agency in Africa, stating that it was a huge intervention that both government and non-governmental agencies should emulate.

Shagaya said, “After the launch of U-Lesson in 2020, we started to see something that disturbed me. We noticed that people buying these products were children of the wealthy, and that was never the intention of U-Lesson. We built U-Lesson so that everybody everywhere could use this product.

“The role of government and agencies like the NDDC as the middleman and go-between to take powerful products like U-Lesson and put them in the hands of the average person cannot be discounted.”

He added, “Most social problems today can be solved through technology. While U-Lesson continues to innovate and develop, we must continue thinking about our teachers. We have to consider the role of government, and the NDDC has paved the way in Nigeria.”

The Country Representatives of the World Health Organisation, Dr Walter Mulombo, commended the U-Lesson initiative and described it as the path to the future.

Before the partnership between NDDC and the Renewed Hope Initiative, the commission had been working with U-Lesson Education, Africa’s foremost education technology company, to deploy education tablets for students.

The formal unveiling of the initiative took place on October 14 at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Hall in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Key stakeholders in the education sector were in attendance to witness the commencement of this transformative educational project. These included NDDC officials, school principals, teachers, community leaders, and students.

This initiative combines U-Lesson’s best-in-class academic content and technology with the NDDC’s commitment to educational development. Integrating technology and self-paced learning aimed at improving the region’s education quality.

Procuring these education tablets marks a significant step towards bridging the digital divide and empowering students with innovative resources.

The U-Lesson Education Tab 2 is a personalised learning tablet with rich interactive educational contents to improve students’ learning experience.

To remove the barrier of internet access, video lessons are stored locally on the device for offline use. This means that the students can watch lessons anywhere and at any time. In addition, learners can also access interactive tests and quizzes, periodic mock exams, and weekly learning reports.

The device has a parental control feature, which allows parents to monitor their children’s internet activities and keep them safe. These tablets facilitate immersive and effective learning experiences, both inside and outside the classroom.

NDDC’s Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, Dr. George Uzonwanne, said, “In addition to the distribution of these tablets, we have also employed the services of our consultants to train the teachers in the use of the tablets. So, if students have trouble using it, those trained teachers will teach them how to use it.

“We’re also going to open hotlines and a help desk that students can call any time of the day to ask questions, and they will guide them on how to use it.”

Through this partnership, the NDDC and U-Lesson Education reaffirm their shared commitment to improving society through education and empowering the next generation of leaders in the Niger Delta region.

By harnessing the power of technology, the partners aim to create a conducive learning environment that fosters academic excellence and unlocks the full potential of every student.