By Our Reporter
Education stakeholders across Nigeria have declared that accelerated digital transformation in schools is no longer optional but an urgent national imperative.
This was the resolve during the Digital Education Roundtable 2025, convened by Cloudnotte Limited at The Atrium Event Center, Port Harcourt, on November 20, 2025.
The event brought together policymakers, regulators, examination bodies (WAEC, NECO, JAMB), school owners, teachers, private school associations (NAPPS, AFED, ANCOPSS), tertiary institutions, and government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Education, NERDC, SUBEB, and Rivers State education bodies.
The Digital Education Roundtable 2025, witnessed an outcome document, titled “Digital Education Advocacy Declaration”, that contains five major resolutions and a signed personal commitment from every participant to become active advocates for digital education.
Key resolutions include: Policy and Governance for Digital Transformation, where participants demanded immediate institutionalization of mandatory digital literacy programs by federal and state agencies (Ministry of Education, NERDC, SUBEB, and State Secondary Education Boards).
Similarly, examination bodies were urged to fast-track full transition to digital assessments and enforce minimum ICT-readiness standards as a condition for school accreditation and examination centre approval.
Practical School-Level Digital Adoption
Schools such as Jephthah Comprehensive Secondary School, Emmy Norberton Schools, and Bibian International School demonstrated how Cloudnotte and similar platforms have revolutionized attendance, computer-based testing (CBT), parent communication, reporting, and classroom management.
The roundtable agreed on phased, school-specific digital adoption roadmaps, intensive training for teachers and ICT staff, and reliable power, internet, and device infrastructure.
It also noted the need for ‘Empowering Teachers as Digital Champions’. Teachers were recognized as the heartbeat of successful transformation. Stakeholders called for continuous professional development, performance incentives, and formal recognition for educators leading digital innovation in their schools.
It also emphasized ‘Closing the Digital Divide – Inclusion for All Learners’.
The communiqué further insisted that digital education must reach every child, especially in rural and underserved communities. Participants committed to push for massive public investment in school ICT, public-private partnerships, and deployment of affordable, accessible, and inclusive digital platforms.
‘Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration and Innovation’. There was affirmation that no single entity can transform education alone. The forum resolved to strengthen ongoing partnerships among schools, EdTech companies (with explicit support for scaling proven solutions like Cloudnotte’s digital classroom, CBT, and AI-powered tools), universities, examination bodies, and government. Continuous research, pilot projects, and knowledge-sharing were identified as essential.
On ‘Personal Advocacy Pledge’, participants signed the ‘Digital Education Advocacy Declaration Form’, personally committing to:
*Advocate for digital learning and technology-driven school operations; Drive capacity building and ICT integration within their institutions or spheres of influence; Champion supportive policies and cross-sector partnerships; and Promote an inclusive, innovative, and accessible education ecosystem.
In her opening address, Mary Matthew Otto, Managing Director/CEO of Cloudnotte Limited, warned that Nigeria risks leaving an entire generation behind if the digital divide in education is not urgently bridged.
“Millions of Nigerian children enter classrooms hopeful for a better future, but many schools still operate as they did 30 years ago,” she said. “Teaching digital natives in analog environments while the world races ahead with AI and smart classrooms is an abnormality and a deprivation.”
Declaring the event “not a talk shop,” Otto said the roundtable was convened to answer three critical questions: What policy and investment gaps are blocking digital transformation? How can the government, private sector, teachers, and innovators collaborate to close them? What immediate, sustainable steps can schools take today?
Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Sam Ogeh, Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), lamented the absence of functional ICT facilities and weak policy implementation but expressed optimism to breach the gap. He declared full support of the Rivers State government and commended Cloudnotte for spearheading the initiative.
The day featured panel discussions, practical demonstrations by schools already using digital platforms, and contributions from Rivers State University, University of Port Harcourt, Ignatius Ajuru University, representatives of the Rivers State Ministry of Education among others.
Cloudnotte Limited announced that the signed declarations will be formally transmitted to the Honourable Minister of Education, state governors, and heads of relevant agencies for immediate policy action.
Participants expressed confidence that the 2025 Digital Education Roundtable marks a historic turning point that will propel Nigerian classrooms firmly into the digital age.
