At Titans of Tech Awards, EKOEXCEL shines

The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) EKOEXCEL shone brightly at the 18th yearly Titans of Tech Awards held at the weekend in Lagos.

The intervention, launched in 2019 by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to transform Lagos public primary schools through technology deployment, was honoured with the Most Innovative Digital Learning Platform of the Year Award at the major industry event.

Former Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, chaired this year’s awards, which celebrated trailblazing innovators, individuals, organisations, governments and individuals who use ICT to improve lives in the society. It also recognises excellence and steadfast commitment to deploying ICT for positive interventions in Nigeria.

In awarding the Most Innovative Digital Learning Platform of the Year Prize, the organisers described it as the foremost Nigerian digital platform, digitising education for national development and preparing pupils for the 21st Century.

Commenting on the award he personally received, LASUBEB’s Executive Chairman, Wahab Alawiye-King, expressed delight at the honour.

He said the recognition was humbling and attested to Sanwo-Olu’s foresight and commitment to improving primary education through technology.

“I am humbled and honoured to receive this award on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. This shows that his investment in public education is yielding positive results,” Alawiye-King said before dedicating it to all its stakeholders.

“We are dedicating this award to all the pupils, teachers and head teachers for their support. I equally want to appreciate and commend our technical partner, NewGlobe, for your wonderful support. We appreciate it,” he said.

Speaking earlier while welcoming guests, the Convener of the Titans of Tech Awards, Don Pedro Aganbi, said it is a platform dedicated to recognising the achievements, successes and triumphs of key stakeholders across the entire digital technology spectrum.

He explained that the awards were great way to encourage good behaviour, teach competitive spirit and spur the industry to greater heights.

Since its launch, it has continued to record tangible gains among teachers and pupils, leading to improved learning outcomes for pupils and more professional teachers.

Over 14,000 teachers from 1,011 public primary schools have been captured under the scheme. It has also enhanced the teacher-pupil interaction experience through technology (e-Learning) in Lagos State primary schools.

EKOEXCEL has also significantly increased pupils’ learning outcomes and drastically reduced the number of out-of-school children in the state by enrolling them in schools through the ‘Leave No Child Behind’ policy.

Preceding the awards ceremony was The Pan African Digital Initiative Summit & Expo (P.A.D.I.S.E) 2022 featuring some top names in Nigeria’s technology and security space.

Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of Nigeria delivered the keynote address at the summit and thereafter the EXPO was declared open with EKOEXCEL as one of many exhibitors showcasing their products and services.