Nov. 10, 2023

The Managing Director, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited, Mrs Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, has unveiled cutting edge Educational Technology (EdTech) solutions equipped with broadband connectivity towards transforming education in Nigeria.

The announcement came during a pivotal stakeholders meeting in Abuja, where Egerton-Idehen addressed the pressing need for accessible internet connectivity hindering the effective integration of technology in education.

Highlighting the challenges faced by schools and the government in advancing technology in education, Egerton-Idehen emphasised the limitations posed by insufficient internet connectivity.

According to her, many ICT laboratories, despite being equipped with computers, remain underutilised due to the lack of affordable internet access.

She said for the past few years there had been an increase in the number of EdTech startups building technology-backed learning solutions in Nigeria, as with the rest of the world.

“While schools and governments are making efforts to advance the integration of technology into education by furnishing some ICT laboratories with computers, a second class problem prevents the use of most of these devices in schools.

“Among other challenges, the lack of access to affordable internet connectivity has proven to be a major hindrance to the effective use of technology for teaching and learning.

“Many laboratories are under lock and key and some others used for basic computer literacy rather than exploring other learning opportunities,”
Egerton-Idehen said.

She said the resources can benefit schools by increasing engagement and motivation in the classroom and promoting critical thinking and problem-solving.

The director-general also said it could also be in measuring students performance and learning outcomes as well as facilitate the administration, documentation and delivery of educational content.

She said the product had three main areas of focus were numeracy and Literacy for Primary Schools and digital libraries for Secondary Schools and content Creation for Teachers and Learning Management System.

The director-general also unveiled ‘customer experience and support solution for their clients and potential clients, adding that it consist of an Al-powered chatbot and a call centre solution.

“In an era where customer service is paramount, our call centre solution is set to transform the way we connect and support our customers.

“We aim to enhance customer interactions, streamline support services, and ultimately elevate the customer experience,” she said.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, who was represented by Communications and Media adviser, Mr Osibo Imohoitsike, said NIGCOMSAT was open for businesses and partnership.

He said the stakeholders meeting was the core part of what the world needs with the focus on knowledge, policies, infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship and training.

The Executive Director, Marketing and Business Development of NIGCOMSAT, Mr Najeem Salaam, said NIGCOMSAT had a new drive with its upgraded broadband and broadcasting capacity platform for Nigerians to utilise.

“NIGCOMSAT is therefore open for even greater business opportunity for all of you to own.

“The Nigeria of our dream is achievable and we have started doing the work already. NIGGOMSAT is ours together as Nigerians and we must grow our own and make the best out of it,” he said.

On his part, a former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, called for another satellite to address some security challenges in the country.