The National Association of University Students (NAUS), National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Students (NANCES), and National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) have jointly called for the expansion of the Electronic Education Initiative (E-DON) to universities and polytechnics nationwide. This demand was made at a joint world press conference held at the weekend. The student bodies commended E-DON as a notable development that can strengthen digital teaching and learning across Nigeria's tertiary institutions.
The Joint Union has urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Committee of Vice Chancellors to adopt E-DON across Nigerian universities. They have also appealed to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Committee of Rectors to extend E-DON to polytechnics nationwide. The students proposed that E-DON be deployed to at least one lecture hall in every department of every tertiary institution. This, they believe, will ensure that more students benefit from digital and interactive learning.
According to the student leaders, expanding E-DON across all categories of tertiary institutions will strengthen Nigeria's digital education ecosystem. It will also expose students to international academic linkages through virtual live lectures with partner institutions around the world. E-DON has already demonstrated its potential in several Colleges of Education across the geopolitical zones. The student bodies commended the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Dr. Angela Ajala, for supporting the implementation of E-DON.
The Joint Union described E-DON as capable of promoting global education partnerships through virtual live interactive classrooms. It will also improve the ability of Nigerian students and faculty to compete favourably with their counterparts globally. Wider deployment of E-DON will help tertiary institutions gradually move away from conventional learning methods and embrace digital technologies that reflect developments in modern education.
E-DON promotes indigenous educational technology and interactive digital learning solutions through tools such as 3D animation simulation software and QR interactive Smartboards. The student bodies appealed to state governors to urgently resolve disputes involving the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in state-owned institutions. Prolonged industrial disputes and strikes negatively affect students' academic programmes.
The Joint Union commended the Minister of Education for efforts towards repositioning Nigeria's education sector. They stressed that sustained investment in digital infrastructure and innovative educational technologies will help create learning environments capable of preparing Nigerian students for an increasingly technology-driven global economy. The students believe that E-DON has the potential to enhance modern, technology-driven teaching and learning.
The student bodies emphasized that wider adoption of E-DON will further enhance digital education in Nigeria. They urged stakeholders to support the implementation of E-DON across all categories of tertiary institutions. With E-DON, Nigerian students will have access to digital and interactive learning, which will improve their academic performance and global competitiveness.
Key points
- Expansion of E-DON to universities and polytechnics will strengthen Nigeria's digital education ecosystem
- E-DON promotes global education partnerships through virtual live interactive classrooms
- Sustained investment in digital infrastructure is needed to prepare Nigerian students for a technology-driven global economy
