The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has reassured Nigeria and other member states of its commitment to reforming education and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) system.
Regional director of UNESCO, Mr Yao Ydo made the promise in Lagos at the maiden edition of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) eminent persons strategy series.
The series, with the theme ‘The 21st Century Youths and the Future of Communication in Africa’ took place at the Caleb University, Imota, Lagos.
Ydo said such support was inevitable due to the need to adopt new ways of approaching education.
“The old ways of learning across the continent were not getting the desired results. Many African nations are now focusing on ensuring that people become more literate in ICT.
“The new approach to communication education is providing expanded opportunities for African countries.
To meet up with the needs of our youths and nations, there is need to redefine our learning content and pedagogy is a must,’’ he said.
Ydo said that the present approach to teaching and learning environment is inadequate to support learning needs.
“Today, shift in labour market trends and skills shortage in the global workforce have highlighted widening inadequacies in the youth preparedness, and a growing concern on the potential economic and global crisis ahead.
“The present approaches to teaching and learning environment are inadequate to addressing and supporting the 21st century learning needs.
“As societies become more knowledge-based, there is need for institutions to manage the type of information and skills that could tailor and mentor our growing youth,’’ he said.
The key focus of 21st century learning should be an adaptation to keep pace with demand and expectations, he said.
Ydo said the UNESCO office in Nigeria in collaboration with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) was addressing barriers to accessing information and knowledge by promoting Open Education Resources (OER). An example is the ongoing training of 400 youths in the UNESCO youth mobile initiative project, with the collaboration of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
He said they had also started talking to the Lagos state government with the hope of empowering over 4000 youths within two years on apps development.
Earlier in his address, vice chancellor of the university, Prof. Ayandiji Aina, said that equipping the youth with 21st century ICT skills was key to addressing societal problems and maintaining high education standard in Nigeria, and commended the organisers of the event for the initiative.
He stressed that the university would continue to collaborate with the ACSPN and UNESCO to explore new methods of communication and technology for rapid growth.
