Tech education in Nigerian schools is vital for digital growth, says expert Gabriel Iruaga, urging early integration and industry collaboration

Tech education in Nigerian schools is no longer a luxury but a necessity, according to UK-based tech expert and entrepreneur, Gabriel Iruaga, who has called on the Nigerian government to integrate digital learning into all levels of the national curriculum.

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In an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Iruaga—founder of Embold Lab and CEO of Rendcore Technology argued that early exposure to digital tools and logical thinking could transform curious children into digitally empowered creators.

“When I think about integrating tech into Nigerian schools, I picture a six-year-old child curious about her mother’s phone.

Instead of scolding her, imagine a classroom where that curiosity is guided into learning safe internet use, storytelling apps, or even simple logic games,” Iruaga said.

Iruaga emphasized that tech is not magic—it’s a tool that should be demystified for learners at all levels.

He called for practical, hands-on learning from primary through university, with tailored content such as data analytics, cybersecurity, product design, and AI backed by mentorships and internships.

“Tech allows someone in Maiduguri to design logos for Abuja clients or a graduate in Lagos to analyse data for a Canadian firm—without ever leaving home,” he added.

Since launching in 2023, Embold Lab has trained over 10,000 young Nigerians through live boot camps, mentorships, and digital learning programmes.

Remarkably, 60% of its alumni secured employment within six months, while 15% launched their own ventures, reinforcing the tangible outcomes of early tech exposure.

Iruaga stressed that scaling tech education would require a multi-stakeholder effort, including:

Government funding and curriculum reform
Telecoms providing zero-rated data for learning
Global tech firms (e.g., Google, Microsoft, Meta) establishing university innovation hubs
Local EdTech partnerships with platforms like ALX, Andela, and Decagon

“If every state partnered with digital learning platforms, the ripple effect would change Nigeria’s workforce narrative in just a decade,” he said.

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Iruaga concluded by urging stakeholders to invest in infrastructure, mentorship, and accessibility, noting that bridging Nigeria’s digital divide starts with what children learn in school today.

David Okere

David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.