The Ogun State Government has rewarded the top 10 users of its OgunLearn platform with tablets as part of efforts to promote digital learning and sustain technology-driven education in the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, disclosed this in Abeokuta on Tuesday during the presentation of the tablet devices to winners of the OgunLearn competition.
Arigbabu said Ogun State had continued to maintain its reputation as Nigeria’s education capital through innovative educational reforms and digital initiatives.
He stated that “Ogun State has always been known as the leader in education. We are the education capital of Nigeria, so it is not surprising that we continue to show leadership.
“People had their doubts when we introduced it, but today we are all witnesses that states across the country now see it as something they should adopt. I want to thank the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, who encouraged all states to key into it.
“The only way to move the education sector forward is through data. We know our learners, our teachers, our facilities and our resources. That is what enables effective planning and decision-making.”
He described OgunLearn as an artificial intelligence-powered learning platform developed specifically to meet Nigerian educational needs.
“The platform is customised to the Nigerian curriculum and based on schemes of work developed by our teachers. It reflects our learners’ environment, culture and experiences, making it easier for both students and teachers to embrace,” he said.
The commissioner explained that OgunLearn was part of a broader digital transformation agenda that also includes the Digital Platform for Education Administration, Ogun Scholar, and other technology-driven programmes.
He noted that the state’s robust database had simplified the administration of bursaries, scholarships and other educational interventions.
Arigbabu added that the database also enables the government to monitor teacher deployment, retirement schedules, infrastructure gaps and student movement across schools.
The commissioner further stated that OgunLearn had reduced the workload of teachers by eliminating the need for lengthy handwritten lesson notes and providing digital tools for teaching, assignments and assessments.
He disclosed that the government was working towards fully digital classrooms where teaching and learning could take place through laptops, tablets and mobile devices.
On sustainability, the commissioner said the government would continue to reward outstanding users of the platform and expand its network of OgunLearn ambassadors across the state
“When we started, we had about 11 OgunLearn ambassadors. Today, we have about 110, and the number will continue to grow until all our teachers become ambassadors of digital learning,” he said.
He added that regular training programmes were being organised for teachers, education officers and administrators to deepen the adoption of technology in schools.
“The world is now digital. Nobody wants to be left behind. We will continue to train our teachers and encourage them to embrace technology because digital education is the future,” Arigbabu said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission, Abiodun Sanyaolu, commended teachers for embracing digital tools under the OgunLearn AI education initiative, pledging continued support for programmes that promote teachers’ development.
“As chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission, I wish to assure stakeholders that this commission will continue to support programmes and policies that promote teachers’ development, technological development and excellence in service delivery,” the chairman stated.
He also commended the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, led by Arigbabu, along with directors, administrators and partners who contributed to the programme’s success.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in the state, Noah Sewakanu, commended Governor Abiodun for making teaching more convenient for teachers.
Sewakanu, who his Vice, Adenaike Owolabi, represented, pledged continued support for every initiative designed to aid teachers’ development, especially in digital skills.
