AI integration in teacher education takes center stage as the National Education Conference concludes in Minna
By Hassan Danladi Idris
The 6th National Conference of the School of Secondary Education (Technical) concluded in Minna with a strong call for educational institutions across Nigeria to review and modernize their curricula by incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies into both pre-service and in-service teacher education programs.
The four-day conference, hosted by the School of Secondary Education (Technical), Umaru Sanda Ahmadu College of Education, Minna, was held from Sunday, July 26, to Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
It was convened under the theme: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Redefine Technical, Vocational, Science, and Mathematics Education for a Smarter, Inclusive, Innovative, and Future-Ready Workforce.”
Presided over by the conference president, Dr. Isah Yahaya, the event attracted scholars, researchers, teacher educators, policymakers, industry experts, administrators, students, and other stakeholders from tertiary institutions, research institutes, industries, and government agencies across Nigeria.
Participants engaged in extensive discussions on the application of Artificial Intelligence in Technical, Vocational, Science, and Mathematics Education (TVSME), focusing on its potential to improve teaching and learning, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference, participants observed that Artificial Intelligence is transforming education, industry, and the future of work at an unprecedented pace.
They noted that Technical, Vocational, Science, and Mathematics Education remains a vital driver of Nigeria’s industrialization and sustainable national development.
The conference further acknowledged that AI-powered technologies have immense capacity to enhance instructional delivery, curriculum implementation, students’ learning outcomes, assessment systems, research productivity, and institutional management.
However, participants expressed concern over the widening digital divide, emphasizing the urgent need for improved digital infrastructure, capacity building for educators, and equitable access to emerging technologies.
They also highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration among educational institutions, industries, professional bodies, and government agencies to produce graduates equipped with globally competitive skills.
The conference recommended that governments at all levels should develop and implement comprehensive policies to promote the ethical integration of Artificial Intelligence into Technical, Vocational, Science, and Mathematics Education.
Such policies should establish quality assurance mechanisms and ethical guidelines to safeguard academic integrity, data privacy, cybersecurity, fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Participants also urged educational institutions to modernize their curricula by incorporating Artificial Intelligence, robotics, automation, machine learning, data analytics, digital manufacturing, AI literacy, digital pedagogy, and other emerging technologies into teacher education programs.
The communiqué further called on governments and educational institution proprietors to invest significantly in modern digital infrastructure, including smart classrooms, AI-enabled laboratories, reliable electricity, high-speed internet, and well-equipped technical workshops.
It emphasized the importance of ensuring inclusive access to AI technologies for women, persons with disabilities, rural communities, and other underserved groups.
The conference also promoted continuous professional development programs for teachers, lecturers, instructors, and school administrators to enhance their competence in the effective use of Artificial Intelligence and digital instructional technologies.
