Education

Stakeholders advocate for poverty eradication through good governance

Published

3 months ago

September 3, 2025

Joel Ajayi

Stakeholders and Nigerians have advocated for good governance aimed at eradicating poverty in accordance with UN’s Strategic Development Goal (SDG) number one, “Ending Poverty in all its forms everywhere.”

This is contained in a statement by the convener, Gilbert Onyemaelu Leadership and Diversity (GOLD) public lecture, Engr. Augustine Okeke in Abuja on Wednesday.

Speaking at the 4th GOLD public lecture and Stakeholder forum organized by Augustine Elochukwu Okeke (AEO) Foundation, Dean, Lagos Business School, Prof.Olayinka David-West called for leveraging on practical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to impact multi-sectors.

David-West who was the keynote speaker, on the theme, “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Sustainable Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria,” emphasized the imperatives of achieving self-sufficiency and prosperity.

Earlier, the Chairman of the event, the Chancellor of BAZE University, Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed, PhD., called for Harnessing AI to impact education and learning.

Also the Guest of Honour, the DG of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Kachifu Inuwa Abdullahi, enlightened the audience on government initiatives on AI including the launch of the National AI Strategy (NAIS).

Also speaking, the Managing Director, Ingryd Academy, Khadijat Abdukadir, threw light into the multi-dimensions of AI and poverty Alleviation.

The Chairman of Flexip Group, Engr. Rex Mafiana called for entrepreneurial engagement of citizens while leveraging on AI to achieve poverty reduction.

The Managing Director, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Mrs Jane Egerton-Idehen advocated for rural impact of AI to tackle poverty.

Also speaking, the Director Compliance Institute, Dr Wence Nwoga expressed the need for the use of data as a critical component in achieving poverty eradication.

The President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, explained how AI can leverage on infrastructure for a prosperous and economically viable society.

The Chairperson, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Nigeria Section, Engr. Prof. Ifeyinwa Achumba, called for a connection between education, AI and poverty Alleviation.

Academic Researcher, ALERT Group, Middlesex University, Dr, Uchenna Nnawuchi emphasized on the AI applications and ethical consideration conundrum.

The highlight of the event was unveiling two strategic initiatives of Augustine Elochukwu Okeke (AEO) Foundation thus: Leading with Integrity and Valuesin Enterprise (LIVE) Community and Youth Leadership EnhancementAnd Development (YLEAD) Programme.

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Education

Athena Centre Appointed to NGREN Board as Federal Government Deepens Data-Driven Governance

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership has been appointed to the Governing Board of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN)/Tertiary Education Research Applications and Services (TERAS). NgREN -Nigeria’s national research and education backbone – provides high-speed connectivity, shared digital services, and collaboration infrastructure for universities and research institutions, while TERAS powers the digital applications that support research, data exchange, and digital learning across the tertiary system.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the center’s Media and Communications Officer Paul Liam.

The new NgREN/TERAS Board was inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, at the Nigeria National EdTech Strategy Mid-Term Co-Creation Workshop, hosted with support from Mastercard Foundation and the World Bank Group.

The Board includes the Executive Secretaries of NUC, NBTE, NCCE, and TETFund; representatives of vice chancellors, rectors, and provosts; and major digital infrastructure stakeholders such as NCC, Galaxy Backbone, and USPF. The Athena Centre joins the Board as the civil society voice.

In his remarks, Dr. Alausa acknowledged the Centre’s role in shaping national transparency reforms, noting that the Ministry’s Federal Tertiary Institutions Governance Transparency Portal (FTIGTP) drew inspiration from Athena’s research and advocacy.

He expressed confidence that the reconstituted Board will deliver measurable improvements within two years to strengthen Nigeria’s research ecosystem and digital readiness.

Representing the Centre on the Board, its Chancellor, Chief Osita Chidoka, OFR, commended the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and evidence-based reform.Reaffirming the Ministry’s digital direction, Dr. Alausa stated: “For the first time, Nigeria is building a unified data architecture for basic, secondary, and tertiary institutions. You cannot reform what you cannot measure, and we are determined to measure what matters.”

Echoing the need for interoperability, Dr. Tijani emphasised the importance of shared digital infrastructure, noting:“Digital transformation fails when systems operate in silos. Our priority is a national architecture where platforms talk to each other and every school is connected.”

Chidoka welcomed the digital innovation underway but stressed the importance of deeper inclusion of state governments, who own and manage most Nigerian schools, in planning, implementation, and financing.

According to him:“For education to succeed, states must invest, lead, and commit. The Federal Government must coordinate and support, but it cannot carry the burden of school management alone.”

The Athena Centre reaffirmed its commitment to supporting federal and state governments in strengthening education data systems, digital governance, and transparent accountability.Media Contact:

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