Initiatives focused on teachers’ capacity align with NDDC development priorities – MD

Samuel Ogbuku, managing director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has said that initiatives focused on teachers’ capacity aligned with the commission’s development priorities in the Niger Delta.

Ogbuku said that improving teachers’ competence remained critical to national progress, noting that educators play a defining role in shaping future generations and strengthening communities.

He disclosed that the NDDC in alignment with its mandate was supporting the 2026 High Impact Conference for Educators (HICE) to strengthen educator capacity across the Niger Delta and beyond.

According to him, education stakeholders have long warned that inadequate training, poor motivation and limited access to modern teaching methods continue to undermine learning outcomes, particularly in underserved communities in the Niger Delta.

Analysts say weak teacher development systems contribute to low student achievement, school dropout and widening inequality in access to quality education.

Against this backdrop, the NDDC’s endorsement of HICE 2026 is seen as part of a broader shift toward human capital development as a pillar of regional growth.

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The conference, organised by the Explore Foundation, is scheduled for April 11 in Asaba, Delta State, and is expected to bring together over 500 educators, school administrators and policymakers to share practical strategies for improving teaching and learning.

Chiedu Ebie, chairman, NDDC, said that investing in teachers is essential to building a skilled workforce capable of driving sustainable development.

He added that supporting educators’ development can complement ongoing efforts to improve education standards in the region.

Uche Monu, convener of HICE, said that many teachers operate with limited opportunities for continuous professional learning despite increasing classroom demands.

She explained that the conference would emphasise innovative pedagogy, teacher leadership and collaborative problem-solving to help educators adapt to evolving education needs.

According to her, education observers have long noted that while conferences alone cannot resolve systemic gaps, sustained investment in teacher training is widely regarded as one of the most effective ways to improve school quality.

As calls for education reform intensify nationwide, Monu noted that attention is increasingly turning to how empowering teachers can translate into better learning outcomes and stronger communities across the Niger Delta and beyond.