The Department of Science and Technology Education at Bayero University, Kano, hosted the 3rd National Conference on Innovative Technology and Pedagogy for Driving Best Practice and Sustainable Development in Nigeria. This three-day conference, organized from January 13th to 15th, 2025, brought together professionals and scholars to discuss critical issues in education and explore innovative solutions.
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad Sa'id, highlighted the renewed emphasis on education within President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Agenda. She underscored the government's commitment to providing quality education for all citizens. To achieve this, the Federal Government has developed a comprehensive plan to revitalize and rejuvenate the nation's education system. This plan emphasizes the critical role of innovative teaching methods and modern pedagogical approaches aligned with global best practices.
Professor Sa'id, represented by Dr. Bashir Sabo Abubakar, Provost of the Federal College of Education Technical Bichi, emphasized the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders, including educators, policymakers, parents, and the community, to ensure the successful implementation of these crucial initiatives.
“This collaborative effort will be essential in transforming the Nigerian education system and equipping future generations with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the 21st century,” she said.
In his opening remarks, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, represented by Professor Mahmoud Umar Sani, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Management Services, emphasized the University's commitment to conducting such conferences. He highlighted the importance of these gatherings in fostering dialogue among experts and addressing pressing societal challenges.
The Vice Chancellor further emphasized the timeliness of the conference's theme, given the crucial role of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in modernizing the education system. He expressed confidence that the esteemed participants would contribute significantly to charting a new course for educational rejuvenation in Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Ibrahim Mahmoud Dangana from the Department of Science Education at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, outlined several challenges to the effective integration of innovative technologies in teaching and learning. These challenges include low ICT literacy and limited access to quality education in rural areas, inadequate infrastructure, resistance to change among educators and policymakers, and a lack of a robust institutional framework for adopting and implementing innovative technologies.
Professor Dangana advocated for strengthened public-private partnerships and the strategic leverage of technology and modern pedagogical approaches to foster meaningful educational change.
The conference featured two lead paper presentations: one by Professor Abubakar Sadik Baffa from the Department of Vocational and Technology Education at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU), and another by Professor Isa Shehu Usman from the Department of Science and Technology Education at the University of Jos.
Dr. Abubakar I. Hassan, Dean of the Faculty of Education, extended a warm welcome to all participants. Professor Garba Sa’ad presided over the occasion.