Nigeria, Korea, 2 Others Unite To Harness Technology For Societal Advancement

Korea, Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria have launched a collaborative initiative leveraging cutting-edge technology to transform key societal sectors, fostering economic growth, enhanced education, and innovative governance.

KOICA Nigeria’s country director, Sungil Son, stated this in his opening speech at the 2024 South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) Programme between Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Korea with the theme: “A Tripartite + Knowledge Sharing Programme on ICT-Driven Education and Civil Registration Development Models held in Abuja.

The event, facilitated by KOICA Nigeria, highlighted the value of ICT-based solutions to advance education and registration systems across participating nations.

Son stated In a world increasingly dependent on ICT for efficient public administration and education, SSTC 2024 has made strides toward a future where no one is left behind.

According to him, “through the combined efforts of Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria, this program has shown how we can effectively leverage technology to transform key societal systems.

He informed that the SSTC 2024 Programme is an example of KOICA’s long-standing commitment to fostering international partnerships that strengthen public systems through ICT-driven solutions while emphasising on the lasting value of these collaborations: “The relationships forged and the knowledge gained here will serve as a foundation for ongoing partnerships and shared progress. We are united by a common purpose to elevate our communities and secure a future of innovation and inclusivity.”

Expressing gratitude to all participants for their dedication, he said “We leave this program with renewed energy, armed with knowledge and practical models that will enrich our systems back home, enabling us to deliver improved educational experiences and streamlined registration processes.”

“The South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) 2024 Program concluded today in Abuja, marking a week of transformative exchanges and practical knowledge-sharing among leaders from Ghana, Cameroon, Korea, and Nigeria. Today’s closing ceremony brought together delegates from the government, education, and civil registration sectors”.

“The program was structured around targeted objectives for each delegation. Ghanaian delegates focused on studying Nigeria’s ICT-based STEM education policies and systems, evaluating their effectiveness, and exploring implementation frameworks. Through discussions with Nigerian stakeholders and site visits to ICT-driven STEM education facilities, including IT training centres and smart schools, the Ghanaian team gained insights into initiatives like the Teachers’ Learning Community (TLC), a program that is geared towards enhancing teacher development and student outcomes in Nigeria”.

LEADERSHIP reports that Cameroon’s delegation took an in-depth look at Nigeria’s national ID registration and civil registration management systems. Through workshops, stakeholder meetings, and field visits, the team examined processes that ensure more inclusive, accurate, and reliable registration. This exchange is set to inform Cameroon’s strategies to enhance its own civil registration systems, promoting transparency and access to essential citizen services.

As SSTC 2024 drew to a close, participants left with actionable frameworks, inspired by successful practices in Nigeria and eager to implement changes that will benefit their citizens. SSTC’s vision and KOICA’s role as facilitators of this cooperation reflect a growing commitment among developing nations to leverage technology for sustainable development.

Cameroon Team visited National Population Commission (NPC), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), and eGovernment Training Center (eGTC) while Ghana team visited Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), UBEC Model Smart School Abuja, Nigeria Korea Model School Abuja, UBEC-Digital Resource Center (DRC), Galaxy Backbone (GBB)