Professor Tahir Mamman, who is the Minister of Education for Nigeria, has expressed interest in partnering with the Swedish Government to enhance the quality of education in the country, specifically focusing on early childhood education. This proposal was discussed during a meeting with the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Annika Hahn-Englund, in Abuja. The Minister highlighted the presence of numerous Swedish technology companies in Nigeria and emphasised the importance of utilising their expertise in the education field.
From a young age, they aim for the children to have early access to technology and learn essential skills that will prepare them for the future. They plan to utilise their knowledge and background to incorporate technology and skills into the school curriculum, he explained. He shared his thoughts on the success of the Swedish Education First initiative in Nigeria, praising its emphasis on incorporating local languages in learning, providing scholarships to Nigerian students, and the positive feedback received from the peaceful hosting arrangements.
MoU to improve the collaboration between the two nations.
He proposed creating a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve the coordination of collaborations and other interactions between the two nations. He acknowledged the existence of a preliminary version and emphasised the need to revise it before submitting it to the President for further steps to be taken. Didi Walton-Jack, who is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, remains optimistic that the conversations will lead to positive results and is eager for further participation and action.
During her visit to the ministry, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Annika Hahn-Englund, expressed interest in collaborating with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to enhance cooperation. She highlighted Sweden’s range of digital platforms and emphasised their potential for supporting various initiatives, such as tourism, within the country. She mentioned that Nigeria has the Education First digital platform that provides educational support from elementary school to higher education levels. Foreign collaboration in the sector allows the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and resources between different countries.
There could be access to funding, training programs, and others.
This can help to improve the quality of learning in Nigeria by introducing new teaching methods, technologies, and curricula that have been successful in other countries. It can also help to address the challenges that the country’s system faces, such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of qualified teachers, and limited access to educational resources. By partnering with foreign institutions, Nigeria can access funding, training programs, and technical assistance that can help to overcome these obstacles and improve the overall quality of learning in the country.
Furthermore, collaboration can help to promote cultural exchange and understanding between Nigeria and other countries. By working together on educational projects, students and teachers from different countries can learn from each other’s perspectives, traditions, and values, promoting mutual respect and tolerance. It also opens up opportunities for Nigerian students and teachers to study and work abroad, gaining valuable experience and skills that can benefit both their personal and professional development. This can help to create a more globally competitive workforce in Nigeria and enhance the country’s overall economic development.
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Early childhood education helps to stimulate a child’s cognitive development, including language, literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills. These foundational skills are essential for academic success later in life. It plays a key role in supporting a child’s social and emotional development. Through interactions with teachers and peers, children learn important social skills such as communication, cooperation, and empathy. Children who have access to quality early childhood education are more likely to be prepared for school and to succeed academically. They are better equipped to handle the classroom environment’s challenges and engage in learning activities.
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