Dakar, Senegal – West Africa must proactively embrace education technology and innovation to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global landscape. This was the key message from Senator Osita Ngwu, Nigeria’s Senate Minority Whip and Vice Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Health Committee, during a joint committee meeting in Dakar.
The meeting, which brought together committees on Education, Science and Culture, Health, and Telecommunications and Information Technology, focused on “Prioritizing education technology and innovation in the ECOWAS sub-region.” Senator Ngwu underscored the urgency, stating that “the world is growing technologically, is, the global technology is fast growing, and then we have to stay in touch to be sure that we are not left behind.”
Senator Ngwu acknowledged Nigeria’s strong position, noting that “even though we know we are ahead of many countries,” there is always room for continuous learning and improvement. He highlighted that such meetings provide an opportunity for “self-assessment and self-evaluation,” allowing member states to understand their current standing and identify areas for growth by learning from regional partners.
The discussions also touched upon the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Senator Ngwu recognised that AI presents “both positives and some negatives.” He stressed the necessity for countries within the region, including Nigeria, to continuously “evaluate our laws and see how we will continue to be dynamic and change as time goes on” to adapt to these new technological advancements.
In a message to Nigerians, Senator Ngwu urged continued confidence in their elected representatives, assuring that “we mean business and everything we do is to ensure that Nigeria is not left behind.” He pledged that efforts would continue to ensure Nigeria “meet up with global standard in terms of technology and innovation.”
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