As part of its effort to expand its digital literacy programme across Nigeria, Microsoft and Signal Alliance have inked a deal with the Oyo State government to provide 800 computers to pupils in both public and private schools across eight centres in the State.
The deal, which is part of Microsoft Imagine Academy will make the state attain global technological relevance and put Nigeria on the digital technological map.
The plan, which is propelled by the Oyo State Model Education System Interventions (OYOMESI) was disclosed at a press briefing attended by the representatives of Signal Alliance, Microsoft and other relevant stakeholders in the education sector of the state.
Speaking at the conference, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr. Bisi Akin-Alabi stated that the state would launch digital literacy centers to prepare the state towards producing a knowledgeable competent workforce in the country.
She explained that the state government alliance with Signal Alliance and Microsoft would give birth to eight digital literacy and cluster learning centres with 100 computers each. Dr. Akin-Alabi said that every student is expected to benefit from the digital literacy, noting that Microsoft has promised to give the state 700 computers every year to complement the state government’s efforts until each school in the state is covered.
Adanma Onuegbu, CEO Signal Alliance, said the future is now and it’s important to adequately prepare our youths and graduates before they join the workforce in order to ensure quality input into the nation’s economy.
“We are raising against time. The world is a global village. Our youths and graduate must be ready to compete at the global scale and its only through deliberate innovative intervention like this by the Oyo State government that real impart can be made.” Onuegbu therefore called on all stakeholders to support the digital literacy drive of the State Government. She assured that the company will ensure that the objectives of the programme are realized.
The Oyo State government, initially, wanted to provide 3 Cluster Learning Centres, as a pilot scheme but the partnership with Signal Alliance and Microsoft increased it to eight.
Jordan Belmonte, Head of Education Program Microsoft Nigeria, in her comments said that the programme was built towards making Oyo State meet the global technological pace, saying that this project could put Nigeria on the digital technological map through the state.
Belmonte pledged Microsoft’s commitment to lifelong education by providing education solutions and at the same time, promoting adoption of ICT in schools. She stressed that the project will lead to institutional change and students can get certification which is recognized globally thereby giving Nigerian companies the opportunity to find the needed talents from their host community.
Furthermore, she says their mission is to ensure that we support this advancement in learning and the benefits it provides for Nigerian students. Microsoft Nigeria is committed to providing affordable access to education solutions and promoting the adoption of ICT in schools.
