The National Association of University Students (NAUS), National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Students (NANCES) and National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) have commended the Electronic Education Initiative (E-DON) for advancing digital learning in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

The student bodies made the commendation at a joint world press conference where they discussed issues affecting students and the wider tertiary education system.

Speaking on behalf of the groups, NAUS President, Dr Meshach Anthony Nwankwo, described E-DON as an initiative capable of strengthening digital teaching and creating opportunities for global educational partnerships through virtual live interactive classrooms.

He said the initiative could also improve the ability of Nigerian students and lecturers to compete with their counterparts globally.

Nwankwo commended the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Dr Angela Ajala, the Committee of Provosts and other stakeholders for supporting the implementation of E-DON in Colleges of Education across the country.

He called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Committee of Vice-Chancellors to adopt the initiative in universities.

He also urged the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Committee of Rectors to extend E-DON to polytechnics nationwide.

The student bodies said expanding the initiative across tertiary institutions would strengthen Nigeria’s digital education ecosystem and give more students access to international linkages through live lectures with partner institutions.

They proposed that E-DON be extended to at least one lecture hall in every department of each tertiary institution, saying wider access would allow more students to benefit from digital and interactive learning.

E-DON promotes indigenous educational technology and interactive digital learning through tools including 3D animation simulation software and QR interactive Smartboards.

The student groups also appealed to state governors to urgently resolve disputes involving the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in state-owned institutions.

They said prolonged strikes negatively affected students and the wider education system.