MTN and Microsoft Partner to Upskill Nigerian Teachers in AI-Assisted Education, Targeting Millions of Students

The MTN SAIL Foundation, in collaboration with Microsoft and the MTN Foundation, has graduated its second cohort of teachers in Nigeria, with a specific focus this year on AI-assisted teaching. This marks a significant expansion of the program, which initially aimed to train 150 teachers and has now reached 10,000 across all 36 states of Nigeria. The latest cohort included 500 teachers who completed an intensive three-month online program, becoming the first in Nigeria to receive formal training in AI-assisted teaching.

The initiative underscores a strategic investment in public education, recognizing teachers as critical enablers of policy implementation. By empowering teachers with modern tools and methodologies, the program seeks to bridge the gap in educational resources and improve learning outcomes for a vast student population. The involvement of Lagos State Commissioners for Innovation, Science and Technology, and Education, highlights government support and a commitment to integrating these newly trained educators into the broader educational system.

The program's long-term vision is ambitious: each of the 500 AI-trained teachers is expected to impact approximately 80 students annually, potentially reaching 400,000 Nigerian children within a year and four million over a decade. This "hyperscaler" approach, as described by MTN Foundation Executive Director Odunayo Sanya, aims for rapid replication of enhanced teaching practices. Commissioner Tunbosun Alake emphasized that this initiative positions Nigerian teachers as active participants in the global AI-in-education discourse, rather than mere subjects of it, while stressing that AI should enhance, not replace, inquiry-based learning.

This partnership represents a crucial step in preparing Nigerian educators and students for the future of work and learning in an increasingly AI-driven world. By focusing on public schools, where the majority of Nigerian children are educated, the program has the potential for widespread societal impact, fostering a generation of students who are more engaged and better equipped for the challenges ahead.