Teachers have been urged to take a more proactive role in guiding students through the opportunities and risks of the digital world as technology increasingly shapes the learning environment.
This formed the focus of discussions at the Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Teachers’ Role in Safeguarding Students’ Digital Exposure held at Novare Central Mall, where education experts, policymakers and stakeholders examined how educators can help students navigate the digital space safely.
Delivering a keynote address titled “Nigeria’s Current Digital Landscape: Our Reality and Its Practical Connection to Education,” Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the rapid expansion of Nigeria’s digital economy is transforming the education sector and redefining the responsibilities of teachers.
Abdullahi, who was represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships at the agency, noted that while digital technologies have created unprecedented access to knowledge, information and opportunities for students, they also come with risks that require careful guidance.
According to him, teachers must play a central role in helping students navigate the digital environment responsibly by enabling them to identify credible information, avoid harmful content and develop safe online behaviour.
He stressed that the role of educators has evolved beyond the traditional task of transmitting knowledge.
“Teachers today must serve as navigators of information, mentors who nurture critical thinking, and guardians of digital responsibility in an increasingly technology-driven learning environment,” he said.
Abdullahi also reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to advancing digital literacy across the country through initiatives such as the Digital Literacy for All programme, strategic partnerships with the education sector and capacity-building programmes aimed at equipping teachers with the skills needed to prepare students for Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital future.
Participants at the dialogue emphasised the importance of collaboration among educators, government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that students benefit from digital opportunities while remaining protected from potential online risks.
