UK Tech Expert Urges Nigeria to Integrate Digital Education Into Schools

Also Read

 

A UK-based technology expert, Mr. Gabriel Iruaga, has called on the Nigerian government to integrate technological education into school curricula to boost digital literacy and prepare students for the future workforce.

Iruaga, founder of Embold Lab and CEO of Rendcore Technology, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

He said embedding digital skills into the curriculum from nursery and primary levels would help channel children’s natural curiosity into productive learning, while secondary school students could advance into building practical projects.

“When I think about integrating tech into Nigerian schools, I picture a six-year-old child curious about her mother’s phone. Instead of scolding her, imagine a classroom where that same curiosity is guided into learning safe internet use, storytelling apps, or even simple logic games,” Iruaga said.

At the tertiary level, he recommended courses in data analytics, product design, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, supported by mentorship and internships to provide hands-on experience before graduation.

“Too many people see tech as a lottery ticket. The truth is, tech is not magic; it is a tool. It is the ability for someone in Maiduguri to design logos for clients in Abuja, or a farmer in Kaduna to market produce online, or a graduate in Lagos to analyse data for a Canadian firm, all without leaving their hometown,” he added.

Since its launch in 2023, Embold Lab has trained more than 10,000 young people through boot camps, live sessions, and mentorship programmes. According to Iruaga, 60 per cent of participants secured jobs within six months of graduation, while 15 per cent established their own businesses.

He further urged collaboration between government agencies, EdTech platforms, telecom providers, and global tech companies to expand digital education access across the country.

“Think of what could happen if every state government partnered with platforms like Embold Lab, ALX, Andela, and Decagon,” he said. “Telecom companies could offer zero-rated data access for learning, while global players like Google, Microsoft, and Meta could set up innovation hubs in our universities.”

Iruaga stressed that bridging Nigeria’s digital gap would require sustained investment in mentorship, infrastructure, and public-private partnerships to nurture a tech-savvy generation.