Adoption of IoT in Nigeria as the next frontier in education — Ajibola Bello

IoT-integrated learning management devices such as wearables, smartwatches, smartboards, and interactive displays offer a glimpse into the future of how IoT is revolutionizing education in Nigeria. While the integration of IoT into the Nigerian educational system has been gradual, several institutions have adopted IoT-integrated technologies to enhance classroom experiences. Recently, Tech hubs like SAIL Innovation Lab in Ikorodu have sprung up, helping to offer IoT-based programs and training to students to foster great innovation and resourcefulness.

In STEM education, IoT could revolutionize learning by creating smart labs with sensors that enhance science experiments. Subjects like chemistry and physics could have more practical hands-on experiments with more visually stimulating methods of relating to different academic concepts like chemical reactions, and physics concepts. Technical drawing offered by students could take a more direct and creative approach with students having the ability to use IoT devices to engage with the drawings and structures thereby understanding the concepts better. With a 2020 report indicating that only 29% of public secondary schools in Nigeria have access to functional computers, it’s clear there is a substantial gap IoT could help fill.

The integration of IoT in the medical education sector has the potential to completely transform the way students are trained, replacing outdated methods that are still in use today. Imagine a world where medical students in Nigeria are no longer constrained by the archaic practice of having over twenty students assigned to a single cadaver for learning and IoT interactive displays could help provide a more efficient, visual learning experience that would enhance students’ understanding and responsiveness. This would allow them to practice surgeries in a risk-free virtual environment without the fear of causing harm to real patients and it would be a game-changer in allowing these students to learn without the high stakes of the traditional teaching methods.

A museum or art gallery where IoT-enabled smart exhibits help bring history to life for visitors could change interactive learning experiences completely. Sensors and tags could be used to provide detailed information about artifacts, historical events, or artworks as visitors approach the exhibits. Also, IoT-powered augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications could create immersive experiences, allowing learners to explore Nigerian historical sites, witness historical reenactments, or interact virtually with art pieces, all through AR glasses or VR headsets giving them a more present feel and experience.

Programs like the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) can help support tertiary institutions across the country by investing in IoT-integrated tech hubs, giving students greater access to advanced technologies. They can provide financial support for research projects focused on the application of IoT in education, and offer grants or subsidies for the acquisition of IoT devices and educational software that can enhance learning experiences. Furthermore, government regulatory policies aimed at the intentional integration of IoT in education would ensure progress across the sector. Investor-friendly policies could attract more foreign tech investors into the educational sector leading to expansion, the creation of more jobs and an increase in the GDP. The government could also invest in smart tech hubs across cities that would also drive the seamless adoption of IoT, unlocking new possibilities for Nigeria’s educational system.

Despite the tremendous advantages IoT brings to education globally, countries like Nigeria face significant challenges in fully embracing this technological evolution. According to a report, 75% of Nigerian schools in rural areas lack access to ICT facilities with over 60% of schools not having consistent access to reliable internet and 55% of Nigerians not having access to constant power supply, all of which are critical components for IoT-enabled education. Infrastructural issues such as unreliable electricity, poor internet connectivity, financial constraints of learning institutions, the high cost of IoT devices and the high rate of digital illiteracy have hindered the widespread adoption of IoT in education in many parts of the country.