Technology development will enhance learning in Africa—Education minister, NOUN VC

Technology development will enhance learning in Africa—Education minister, NOUN VC

Technology

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has urged African countries to use technology as a means of transforming their education system and comprehensively developing learning on the continent.

Alausa made the call in Abuja at the opening of the MoodleMoot Africa Conference 2025, organised by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that the theme of the conference is “Leveraging the Power of Disruptive Technologies for Africa’s Educational Transformation”.

The minister said Africa must take charge of its “digital destiny” with the use of technology to empower its people.

“We are here today to explore how open-source solutions like Moodle have transformed learning globally, offering cost-effectiveness, flexibility, local customisation, hosting scalability and ownership to our educational institutions in Africa.”

Alausa described the conference as timely and significant, saying that technology was already redefining the way the world rotated educationally.

“We stand at a crucial juncture in the world; a time when technology is transforming how we teach, learn and engage with an ever-expanding, yet borderless global community

“For Africa, I hope this conference will help us build a vibrant community of developers and users that will enable us not just to catch up with the rest of the world, but to achieve digital sovereignty over our learning systems and data,” Alausa said.

Prof. Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor, NOUN, while delivering his welcome address, said the MoodleMoot Africa Conference was not just an event but a movement aimed at uniting academics.

“The conference is also aimed at uniting developers, administrators and technologists to build an inclusive, technology-driven educational future.

“This year’s theme is particularly apt because we live in an era where artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet and big data are transforming every facet of our lives.

“Education cannot afford to lag behind; it must evolve, not as a passive consumer of technology but as a creative force that shapes innovation for human development.

“Moodle is a bridge that connects learners across geographical divides.

“Through Moodle, we have seen technology not as a luxury but as a bridge that connects rural learners to global classrooms, empowers teachers to become digital architects, and allows learning to flourish beyond the walls of any campus.”

He said the conference was structured into three thematic tracks to address inclusive access and student success with Moodle.

The vice-chancellor said it would empower the people with skills development and innovative pedagogies as well as building sustainable and innovative Moodle ecosystems.

Peters commended Alausa, TetFund, National Universities Commission, Galaxy Backbone, as well as sponsors and partners of the conference for a job well done.

“Let us remember that Africa’s digital transformation will not be achieved through technology alone.

“It will depend on our willingness to collaborate, share and learn from one another.

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“We must bridge the gaps between technologists and educators, between policymakers and practitioners, and between research and implementation,” Peters said.

Ms Lindi Mminele, the Deputy High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, commended the role of the MoodleMoot Africa Conference in bridging educational gaps through scalable and localised digital solutions.

Mminele commended Nigeria for hosting the event for the first time, after South Africa which hosted the event twice through the University of South Africa (UNISA) known for its well established open and distance learning.

She highlighted the cooperation between South Africa and Nigeria, particularly in education, and expressed hope that the conference would foster lasting partnerships in advancing technology-driven learning across the continent.

VMT NEWS also reports that the event, which has no fewer than 400 delegates drawn from more than 24 countries, will end on Friday