PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS (NAPS) ON THE URGENT NEED FOR THE INCLUSION OF THE EDON DIGITAL CLASSROOM INITIATIVE IN OUR POLYTECHNICS ACROSS ALL GEO-POLITICAL ZONES.
Gentle Men of the Press
The leadership of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) warmly welcomes members of the press, stakeholders in the education sector, student leaders, government representatives, institutional administrators, and all patriotic Nigerians gathered here today.
We address this press conference at a critical period in the history of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria, a time when the future of our Polytechnic education system depends heavily on our ability to embrace technology, innovation, Artificial Intelligence, and globally competitive learning systems.
Today, NAPS is publicly calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), THE COUNCIL OF HEADS OF POLYTECHNICS AND COLLEGES OF TECHNOLOGY IN NIGERIA (COHEADS) and most the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), to prioritize and include the EDON Digital Classroom Initiative in Intervention Programme for our federal, state and Private Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology across the country.
WHY POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS NEED THE EDON DIGITAL CLASSROOM INITIATIVE
Just a few months back representatives including myself of the Polytechnic Student Union embarked on a nationwide tour of our sister institutions in the colleges of education to seee for ourselves a trend that has excited both their student and faculty population to consistently request more of the initiative to cover each department it is based on benefits and commendations we are here today. You see let us state clearly the Polytechnic students are among the most practical-oriented students in Nigeria. Our education is centered on engineering, innovation, vocational training, technology, applied sciences, entrepreneurship, and industrial development. Unfortunately, many of our institutions are still operating with outdated classroom systems that cannot effectively compete with modern global educational standards and this is where E-DON comes in.
Many Polytechnic classrooms today still depend on conventional chalkboards, outdated projectors, limited laboratory exposure, and inadequate simulation facilities. This situation continues to affect practical learning, innovation, research development, and the digital competitiveness of Nigerian Polytechnic graduates.
The introduction of the EDON Digital Classroom Initiative in its QR 98 inch interactive board with embedded customized EDON 3D animation simulation software will completely transform this reality.
The EDON initiative is not just an ordinary classroom project; it is a complete digital learning ecosystem designed specifically to modernize education delivery in Nigeria through indigenous technology solutions at a time nations are looking within to find solutions Nigeria must lead by example that our technology our systems can not just train but help enhance our students to graduate to meet and surpass their peers globally.
The deployment of the:
• 98-Inch EDON QR Interactive Boards
• Enhanced EDON 3-D Animation Simulation Pro Software
• Embedded Artificial Intelligence Teaching Tools
• Interactive Technical and Vocational Simulations
• Smart Classroom Analytics Systems
will significantly improve teaching, practical demonstrations, student participation, research engagement, and digital learning outcomes in our campuses.
THE IMPORTANCE OF AI AND DIGITAL LEARNING TO POLYTECHNIC EDUCATION
We cannot continue preparing students for tomorrow’s industries using yesterday’s learning methods.
The global economy is rapidly moving toward Artificial Intelligence, automation, robotics, digital manufacturing, smart engineering systems, virtual simulations, and Industry 4.0 technologies. Polytechnic education must therefore evolve in order to remain relevant.
With the EDON 3-D Animation Simulation Pro Software and AI-powered learning tools, Polytechnic students will be able to:
• Conduct virtual practical simulations
• Understand complex engineering and technical concepts more effectively
• Access AI-supported lesson summaries and revision support
• Improve digital literacy and innovation capacity
• Learn through interactive and visualized systems
• Gain exposure to globally accepted learning technologies
• Strengthen entrepreneurial and technological skills
This will help produce graduates that are job-ready, innovation-driven, technologically equipped, and globally competitive.
WHY WE REQUEST INTERVENTION AGENCIES LIKE TETFUND AND OUR BRILLIANT AND HARDWORKING MANAGEMENT OF THE POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTIONS MUST PRIORITIZE THIS INITIATIVE
NAPS strongly believes that COHEADS, the NBTE and the TETFUND intervention are the most sustainable and equitable pathway for implementing this initiative nationwide as seen across the colleges of education.
Many Polytechnics currently face serious financial limitations and cannot independently finance large scale digital classroom transformation projects without affecting other institutional responsibilities.
By capturing the EDON Digital Classroom Initiative under future TETFUND Intervention Programmes, government will ensure:
1. Equal Access to Digital Learning
Students in all regions of Nigeria will benefit equally from modern classroom technology regardless of their institution’s financial strength.
2. Standardization of Smart Classrooms
Nigeria’s Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology will begin operating under unified digital learning standards that support innovation and quality education.
3. Strengthening of Nigeria’s TVET Agenda
The initiative will improve practical education delivery, technical simulations, engineering innovation, vocational training, and research development.
4. Promotion of Indigenous Technology
EDON is a proudly Nigerian-developed educational technology solution. Supporting it means supporting Nigerian innovation, Nigerian talents, Nigerian developers, and Nigeria’s digital economy.
5. Reduction of Graduate Unemployment
Digital learning exposure and AI-driven education will improve the employability, creativity, and entrepreneurial capacity of Polytechnic graduates.
COMMENDATION TO EDUCATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS
NAPS want to acknowledge the remarkable success already recorded in Colleges of Education where the EDON solution has reportedly improved classroom effectiveness, lecturer productivity, and student engagement.
This clearly shows that the initiative is practical, sustainable, and capable of transforming Polytechnic education nationwide.
OUR APPEAL TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
We respectfully appreciate and appeal to the administration of President Bola am Ahmed Tinubu to continue demonstrating commitment toward educational digital transformation by supporting the inclusion of this initiative in the national intervention framework.
This initiative aligns directly with the Renewed Hope Agenda in the areas of:
• Digital economy development
• Youth empowerment
• Artificial Intelligence integration
• Technical education advancement
• Innovation and entrepreneurship
• Local content promotion
• National technological development
OUR DEMANDS AS NIGERIAN POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS
Consequently, the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) hereby calls for the following:
1. Immediate consideration of the EDON Digital Classroom Initiative under the TETFUND Intervention Programmes.
2. Collaboration between TETFUND, NBTE, COHEADS, and relevant stakeholders toward nationwide implementation.
3. Prioritization of AI-powered digital classrooms across Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology.
4. Support for indigenous educational technology solutions capable of transforming Nigeria’s education sector.
5. Immediate policy actions that will modernize Polytechnic education and prepare Nigerian students for the future global economy.
CONCLUSION
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
The future of Nigerian Polytechnic education cannot be built on obsolete systems. The world is changing rapidly, and Nigeria must not be left behind.
Polytechnic students deserve smart classrooms.
Polytechnic students deserve AI-powered learning.
Polytechnic students deserve globally competitive educational infrastructure.
The inclusion of the EDON Digital Classroom Initiative in future TETFUND Intervention Programmes will not only transform classrooms, but will also transform lives, industries, innovation capacity, and the future of Nigeria’s technological advancement.
NAPS therefore urges all relevant authorities to treat this matter with urgency and national importance.
Together, we can build a modern, digital, innovative, and globally competitive Polytechnic education system for Nigeria.
Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan,
NAPS President
