The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, has said Federal Unity Colleges are ready to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their teaching activities.

She said the colleges have the necessary facilities, adding that there are provisions also to ensure that the resources needed are provided to the schools.

The minister said the government would train teachers and principals on how to effectively implement the programme in the new curriculum.

Ahmad spoke yesterday in Lagos at this year’s annual general meeting (AGM) of principals of Federal Unity Colleges, hosted by the Southwest zone.

The minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to revitalising education through curriculum reform, teacher professionalisation, and digital technology integration.

She reminded principals that they represent the Federal Ministry of Education in their states and must uphold high ethical standards.

Ahmad urged participants to take resolutions and discussions seriously for the repositioning of Federal Unity Colleges.

The minister urged the principals to work collectively to restore the lost glory of Unity Colleges, which she described as symbols of excellence and national pride.

She said: “The Minister of Education has a huge agenda on digitisation. We have a lot of platforms. First, the teachers themselves need to be developed to understand how they can use these different digital tools and AI tools in the classes. We are doing that training for them. At the same time, we are training the teachers.

“You are aware that we did the review of the curriculum, and part of the review process is that one subject was introduced, that is, Digital Technology, for secondary school. Part of it also includes aspects of AI: how do you use AI? How do you use it for studies, of course, the positive use of AI in classes for teaching and learning courses?

“So, we are in the process; we are starting. We are gradually working there.”

The Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education, Dr. Mark Oseni, reiterated the National Assembly’s support for education through budgetary allocations and oversight functions to ensure accountability.

He urged the executive to prioritise funding for the colleges, describing them as foundational to national development.

Oseni assured the principals that the legislature would continue to advocate adequate funding and policy support for effective school administration.

He urged principals to return to their schools better equipped to tackle challenges and improve performance.

The Chairman of Principal Federal Unity Colleges, Dahiru Shehu, urged principals to use the curriculum effectively in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President.

“It is our responsibility as the teachers of federal unity colleges to give our students skills so that they will become useful to themselves and society at large,” he added.