23/06/2026
NBTE and NCCE Kick Off Landmark AI/ML International Conference; Donate Learning Equipment to Colleges
LAGOS, NIGERIA — In a major stride toward technological advancement in Nigerian higher education, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) have officially commenced the NBTE-NCCE-MOC AI/ML International Conference & Seminar (2026 Series).
As captured on the official event banner in image.png, the landmark event is themed "Skills: Beyond Degrees, Certificates, and Diplomas — National Deployment of Open-Source, Linux-Driven AI/ML Simulators in Polytechnics and Colleges of Education." The kickoff event took place on June 23, 2026, at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos, marking the beginning of a highly anticipated series aimed at introducing large-dataset morphological analysis and 3-D contour structural modeling for artificial intelligence applications.
Keynote and Leadership Addresses
The opening ceremony featured powerful addresses from key heads of Nigeria's technical and teacher education regulatory bodies.
Delivering the Executive Secretary’s speech on behalf of Dr. Angela Ajala (ES, NCCE) was Alhaji Garba M. Koko, the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics. Similarly, Prof. Idris Bugaje (ES, NBTE) was ably represented by Dr. John Onyebuchi, the Director for the South West region, who delivered the NBTE’s address emphasizing the critical shift toward skills acquisition over mere paper qualifications.
The highlight of the technical sessions was a comprehensive presentation by the Guest Speaker and Chief Executive Officer of MOC LLC, USA, Dr. Okpok Mfon. Dr. Mfon, a Ph.D. holder in Interdisciplinary Engineering and a strategic partner to both the NBTE and NCCE, walked a cross-section of highly engaged participants through the practical applications of AI/ML simulation on open-source Linux platforms.
Donation of AI/ML Equipment
A major milestone of the day occurred when representatives from the NBTE and NCCE jointly presented donated, state-of-the-art AI machines and machine learning equipment to the host institution. The advanced hardware was received by the Acting Provost of FCE(T) Akoka, Dr. I. O. Miller, alongside members of his management team. The donation is intended to provide students and faculty with immediate, hands-on tools to deploy the technologies discussed during the seminar.
A Convergence of Stakeholders
The seminar brought together a distinguished cohort of academic leaders and tech sector regulators, highlighting a collaborative effort to nationalize AI training.
Among the notable dignitaries in attendance were:
Dr. Jeremial Iweh, Provost of the Akwa Ibom College of Education, Afaha-Nsit.
Dr. (Mrs.) Gbemisola Olotu, Deputy Provost of Administration, representing the Provost of the Federal College of Education, Zuba, Abuja.
Mrs. Franca Anaedum, Head of Department, Planning, Research & Statistics, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Lagos.
Mrs. Ijeoma Akande, Director of the National Information Technology Development Agency, South-West Zone Office (NITDA-SWZO), Lagos.
As outlined in image.png, the broader Seminar & Conference Session One will continue daily from June 23 to June 26, 2026, hosted at the neighboring Yaba College of Technology under the coordination of Dr. M. Adebakin. Sponsored by FIETSA-USA and provided by MOC-LL-USA, this series is set to pave a new way forward for applied interdisciplinary research across Nigerian polytechnics and colleges of education.
Information and Public Relations Department
(Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka.
