Speaker
Description
Kola, A. J.
Kwara State College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi
akoja64@gmail.com
Track: Inclusion, Equity and Digital Access
The Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023, authorizes Nigeria's Colleges of Education to confer both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor's degrees as part of the Dual Mandate policy. Yet, the policy's success in improving teacher education and enhancing the institutions' competitiveness hinges on bridging the digital divide. This review analyzes efforts to address digital disparities in Nigerian Colleges of Education under the Dual Mandate, emphasizing equity, access, and inclusion by synthesizing literature from 2020 to 2026. It discusses issues related to ICT infrastructure, internet access, financial constraints, digital literacy, and assistive technologies. While these challenges impact all students, those in host communities, from low-income families, female students, and students with disabilities face greater risks due to insufficient digital resources. The review identifies barriers to integrating digital technology, such as poor ICT infrastructure, unstable power supply, limited internet connectivity, inadequate funding, low digital literacy, and the lack of inclusive policies. It recommends ongoing investment in digital infrastructure and training for staff and students, free access to digital and assistive tools, development of inclusive policies, and partnerships to bridge the digital divide and support the Dual Mandate's effective implementation.