Shettima Commends ProFuturo Foundation and Kukah Centre’s Digital Education Partnership for Vulnerable Communities

Vice President Kashim Shettima praised the collaboration between the Kukah Centre and ProFuturo Foundation for advancing quality digital education, particularly in Nigeria’s most vulnerable communities.

Shettima noted that the partnership aligns with the nation’s pursuit of skills development through the National Council on Skills and with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He spoke on Wednesday after welcoming a delegation from the Kukah Centre and ProFuturo Foundation, led by Bishop Matthew Kukah, for a courtesy visit at the State House in Abuja.

The vice president, who had previously been briefed on the successes of ProFuturo’s digital education program in Nigeria, expressed satisfaction with the gains in school enrollment and the quality of training and instruction achieved since the partnership began in 2017.

He added that, although significant progress has been made, further work is needed to keep pace with Nigeria’s growing population.

Shettima called for a closer interface between the initiative’s implementing partners and key stakeholders, including the National Board for Technical Education (NABTE), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Federal Ministry of Education, and Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

He said the collaboration would foster the exchange of ideas that could lead to stronger solutions for improving school enrollment nationwide.

The vice president also pledged to present the ProFuturo initiative to the National Economic Council (NEC) with the aim of digitizing Universal Basic Education Boards across the country.

Earlier, Kukah, founder of the Kukah Centre and head of the delegation, explained that the visit to the Presidential Villa was intended to show solidarity with President Tinubu’s administration on digital education.

He remarked that Shettima’s commitment to digital education represents the decisive leadership needed to position Nigeria for the next phase of global development, which is anchored in digital skills.

In his remarks, ProFuturo Foundation’s Deputy Director to the President, Mr. Albert Martinez, highlighted that the initiative’s success in Nigeria has been driven by strong local capacity, steadfast commitment, and dedicated political leadership.

Martinez noted that the project has continued to make significant strides since its inception, thanks to stakeholders’ dedication and their willingness to adapt as needed.

Project coordinator Dr. Emmanuel Nkanta provided an overview of the program’s impact: since launch, 13 states, 123 schools, 72,000 students, and 1,150 teachers have benefited from ProFuturo’s digital education initiative.

Nkanta stressed the need to engage additional partners and secure increased funding to expand the intervention nationwide.