First Lady: Nigeria Can’t Afford to Be Left Out of Global Digital Village

*Flags off distribution of 45,000 u-lesson tablets to nine NDDC states 

*Denies organising national prayer event

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has stated that for Nigeria to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs), Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, students in schools across the country should be equipped with digital tools.

Mrs. Tinubu disclosed this yesterday at the Conference Hall of the State House, Abuja while flagging off the distribution of u-lesson tablets to primary and secondary schools in the nine NDDC states organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in collaboration with the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

This is just as she has dismissed rumours circulating on social media and other platforms, suggesting she was organising a national prayer event, clarifying that she was not behind any such event.
Speaking while flagging off the distribution of the tablets, she noted that digital lesson devices were 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 and style, in addition to classroom teachings.
She added that the tablets were not mere gadgets of recreation, but powerful teaching tools that foster academic excellence, creativity, and innovation.

“By harnessing the power of digital learning resources, it will enhance students’ engagement, streamline curriculum development and accessibility, and ultimately boost student performance and achievement.”
Mrs. Tinubu commended the fact that the u-Lesson education software was well-tailored to align with the Nigerian educational system, ensuring relevance and effectiveness in our local context.

“One of the prominent features of this software is its offline video library, which allows learners to play, pause, and rewind educational content without the need for an internet connection.
“Additionally, the software includes parental controls and a long battery life of up to 18 hours, making it a reliable and safe tool for both students and teachers,” she said.

She noted that as the education software, services, and tablets are distributed, “we are taking a significant step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

“By equipping our schools with these digital tools, we are not only supplementing traditional face-to-face instruction but also empowering students to master their materials and perform better in their tests and examinations, as we believe that every student in Nigeria deserves access to quality education, and the government is dedicated to providing the necessary resources to make that a reality.
“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 U-Lesson tablets for effectiveness across the nine mandate states and Nigeria in general.”

Earlier in his speech, the Managing Director of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, outlined the significance of this initiative.
According to him, “This is just the first phase of our project. We recognise that there are more than 45,000 students in the Niger Delta who need access to these resources, and we will continue to engage U-Lesson to produce more tablets for our students.”

Addressing concerns about equitable distribution, Ogbuku assured that the NDDC was committed to delivering tablets to functional schools rather than merely distributing them politically.
Also speaking, Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh expressed optimism about the collaboration, saying: “This partnership represents a shared vision of prosperity and self-reliance for every child, youth, and woman in our communities.”

Momoh highlighted the focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education as essential for equipping youth with skills to tackle modern challenges.
On his part, Founder of U-Lesson Education, Sim Shagaya, emphasised the company’s commitment to prioritising educational access over profit margins.
In a goodwill message, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative for Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, expressed strong support for a new partnership between the NDDC, RHI, and U-Lesson at the event.

In another development, Mrs Tinubu has dismissed rumours circulating on social media and other platforms, suggesting she was organising a national prayer event.
In a statement issued by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady described the news reports as “unfounded and misleading.”
The statement advised Nigerians to rely on official channels to verify information concerning the First Lady or her office to avoid misinformation.

While emphasising her commitment to prayer and her belief in the power of prayer for Nigeria, Mrs. Tinubu asserted that a prayer is a personal act that should be approached willingly and with sincerity.
She also noted that praying for the nation is a collective responsibility for all Nigerians, regardless of faith, political affiliation, or ethnicity.

She urged Nigerians to remain cautious and verify the authenticity of any information about her engagements to prevent the spread of false information.
“Consequently, anyone who might have come across the purported news of the joint National Prayer for Nigeria should disregard it as false,” the statement added.