The Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, Delta State, in collaboration with the British Council, has commenced its maiden International Conference on Education, Digital Literacy, Knowledge Economy and Sustainable Development, with a call for greater investment in digital competence and teacher development.
The five-day conference, which began on Monday, August 17, 2026, and ends on Friday, August 21, is being held in a blended format at the School of Secondary Education (Science) Hall of the institution, with participants joining both physically and virtually from Nigeria and beyond.
Declaring the conference open, the Provost of FCET Asaba, Dr. James Azuka Olisa, described the event as more than an academic gathering, saying it represented a strategic commitment by the institution to equip teacher trainees, teaching and non-teaching staff with the skills required to thrive in the 21st-century knowledge economy.
Olisa said digital competence had become indispensable in modern education and national development.
“We live in a world where digital competence is no longer optional. It is the currency of the knowledge economy. Nations and institutions that invest in digital literacy are the ones that will drive sustainable development, create jobs and remain relevant in a fast-changing global space,” he said.
The Provost noted that, as a teacher-training institution, FCET Asaba had a critical responsibility to produce educators who were digitally literate, research-driven and capable of preparing students for the demands of the emerging global economy.
He said the conference was also part of his administration’s efforts to reposition FCET Asaba as a leading teacher education institution in Nigeria through increased academic visibility, improved institutional standards and stronger connections with global best practices.
Olisa commended the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori; Commissioner for Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu; the British Council; the conference chairman, Prof. Emmanuel U. Tibi; the conference host, Dr. (Mrs) Maureen Orucho; as well as other stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the event.
He urged participants and paper presenters to go beyond theoretical discussions and develop practical recommendations capable of addressing the challenges confronting Nigeria’s education sector.
“Let us interrogate the issues deeply, exchange ideas and, most importantly, leave this conference with actionable solutions that will impact our classrooms, communities and the nation,” he said.
The conference is chaired by Prof. Emmanuel U. Tibi, Professor of Practice in Education and Executive Chairman of the Delta State Post Primary Education Board, while Dr. (Mrs) Maureen Orucho, Director of the Conference and Seminar Unit, FCET Asaba, is the host.
The opening ceremony attracted education stakeholders and other dignitaries, including representatives of the Delta State Government, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, members of the institution’s Governing Council, deans, directors, heads of departments and scholars from within and outside Nigeria.
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Among those in attendance were Prof. Queen Ogbam, Prof. John Egbharievba, Prof. Comiso N. Ukwu, Prof. Lasisi Olaniyi, Dr. (Mrs) Ejiro Ogheneruemu Ighrakpata, Provost of the Federal College of Education, Warri, Mr. Christopher Emordi, Engr. Dr. Adaji Usman and Dr. Emphray Ashibuogwu.
A major feature of the conference is a series of capacity-building workshops designed for different categories of education personnel.
The workshops include “English Connect” for teacher trainees, “Article Writing” for teaching staff and “Administrative Procedures” for non-teaching staff.
Stakeholders at the conference said the collaboration with the British Council underscored the growing importance of international partnerships in addressing Nigeria’s education and digital literacy challenges.
They said the focus on digital literacy and the knowledge economy would enable participants to develop policy recommendations for integrating technology into teaching, learning and administration in tertiary institutions across the South-South region and Nigeria.
The conference is expected to conclude on Friday with the presentation of awards, workshop reports and a final communique containing recommendations on education, digital transformation, knowledge economy and sustainable development.
Olisa expressed optimism that the conference would strengthen FCET Asaba’s contribution to national education development while providing participants with practical tools to respond to the rapidly changing demands of the global education landscape.