Who We Are.
Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) is a World Bank assisted project supported by Association of African Universities, and National Universities Commission (NUC), Nigeria. The Centre focuses on development of human capacity and research in digital solutions that will lead to the utilisation of technology for education and its deployment to other sectors.
The centre hopes to bridge the technology knowledge gap by building capacity in Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), Cyber Security and Digital policies to achieve high levels of digital development on the African continent.
Established in February 2019, ACETEL is domiciled at the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria.
Our Mission
Development of digital expertise to drive economic growth and transformation in the West African sub- region and beyond
Our Vision
To be recognized for excellence in research and development of ICT digital solutions and their secure deployment for learning with application to all sectors.
Our Philosophy
Leveraging on the affordances of technology to ensure digital literacy and enhance the quality of STEM education.
Our Team.
We’re a diverse, close knit team on an adventure to build something endearing which will improve education.
Prof. Grace E. Jokthan
Center Director
Dr. Johnson Opateye
Deputy Centre Director
Prof. Nebath Tanglang
Academic Co-ordinator
Prof. Christine Ofulue
Research Co-ordinator
Prof. Sam Smah
Industrial Liaison Officer
Dr. Adeyinka Oluwabusayo Abiodun
Monitoring And Evaluation Officer
Dr. Juliet Iniegbedion
Research Team Leader I
Dr. Adewale Adeshina
Research Team Leader II
Felix Nwagba
Project Accountant
Kazeem Onubaiye
Procurement Officer
Paul Aliyu
Auditor
Loretta Edozie
Communications Officer
Dr. Petu Ibikunle
Environmental Safeguard
Bello Abubakar
ICT Officer
Dr. Wada, Bitrus Zira
Quality Assurance Officer
Udochkwu Chidiebere Nwankwo
Administrative Team Lead/Deputy Registrar
ACETEL Focus.
The activities of the Centre focus on:
- Development of digital tools and solutions, skills in software development and mobile-based applications;
- Research on digital policies and its mainstreaming in the public sector;
- Building capacity with a focus on development of 21st century skills to produce digital experts;
- Development of cyber security tools;
Professor Grace Esrom Jokthan
Professor Grace Esrom JokthanCenter Director
Professor Grace Esrom Jokthan hails from Dass LGA, Bauchi State. She obtained her Bachelors of Agriculture degree in 1990 from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi and her Masters and Doctorate degrees from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2002 and 2006 respectively.
Professor Grace Jokthan began her working career in the Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1992 as an Assistant Lecturer where she rose to the rank of Associate Professor in 2010. Within this period, apart from teaching and supervising several students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, she served the University in various capacities notable among which were Member University Senate Standing Committee and Head, Department of Animal Science. She also served as a Member of the Board of Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Multi Links Ltd and also a Member of the Governing Board of National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) Shika-Zaria. She transferred her services to the National Open University of Nigeria in 2011 and was confirmed Professor of Animal Science in January, 2014. Prof. Jokthan was Head, Department of Animal Science and Fisheries of the National Open University of Nigeria 2016 to 2018 and Dean Faculty of Agricultural Sciences 2018- 2019. Prof Grace Jokthan has published in many reputable national and international journals.
Professor Jokthan was a pioneer Council Member of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) 2007 – 2011 where she served the Institute in various capacities. She equally served as the National Process Facilitator and, National Programme Manager for Research Into Use Nigeria (RIU) – Nigeria; a non-governmental DFID funded project that sort to improve the uptake of innovative agricultural research outputs. She was a consultant on Innovation Platforms to the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP).
Professor Jokthan is currently the Director Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL), Director, Centre for Human Resource Development, and a member of the University Council of the University.
Professor Jokthan was enrolled in the Roll of Honour of the Nigerian Society of Animal Production in 2007. She received the Service Merit Award of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science in 2012 and is a Fellow of the Nigeria College of Animal Science. She is a member of several professional bodies including the Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP), Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) and Agricultural Society of Nigeria (ASN) to mention a few.
Professor Jokthan loves working with socially excluded groups and gender related issues in agriculture. She enjoys reading, travelling and making new friends. Professor Jokthan is blessed with 3 children
Dr. Johnson Opataye
Deputy Centre Director
Dr. Opateye, Johnson Ayodele is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Education, National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria. He has a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) degree in Educational Evaluation from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria in 2009. He is the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, African Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) and also North Central Entrepreneurship Incubation Centre Zonal Coordinator.
He has worked in reputable institutions and research institutes in Nigeria. His academic focus is on assessment for learning in chemistry education and educational research with versed electronic data analysis experience. Working in an open and distant learning institution, he engages in electronic-course material design and development and course facilitation. He facilitates and served as a resource person on workshops focusing on educational evaluation, research, entrepreneurship and open and distant learning for university lecturers and students in Anglophone West African countries sponsored by institutions, public and private organisations and Commonwealth of Learning (COL).
He is member of Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN), African Council for Distance Education (ACDE), Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Computer Association of Nigeria (COAN), Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), Association of Educational Evaluators and Researchers of Nigeria (ASSEREN), Association of Behavioural Research Analysts and Psychometricians (AB-REAP) and Educational Assessment and Research Network in Africa (EARNiA). He also received a Professional Project Management Certificate. He has written and published 28 articles in both local and international journals, 5 chapters in academic book of readings and 4 peer reviewed conference proceedings.
Prof. Nebath Tanglang
Academic Co-ordinator
Some. Text. Goes. Here. Some. Text. Goes. Here. Some. Text. Goes. Here. Some. Text. Goes. Here. Some. Text. Goes. Here. Some. Text. Goes. Here. Some. Text.
Prof. Christine Ofulue
Research Co’ordinator
Christine Iyetunde Ofulue is a Professor of Linguistics in the Department of Languages, a distance learning expert, and Research Coordinator of the African Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACTEL) at the National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria. She obtained her PhD in Linguistics from Indiana University, Bloomington, U.S.A (1992) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Open and Distance Learning from the Indira Gandhi Open University, India (2008).
A U.S. Fulbright Visiting Scholar and Alumnus (2013-2014), she has developed and facilitated several research, training and capacity building initiatives within the higher education space in Africa, including the proposal for a World Bank funded Africa Centre of Excellence for Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) project. Professor Ofulue joined the National Open University of Nigeria in 2005 and has served in various leadership capacities. She was responsible for setting up the University’s quality assurance system and its directorate for research administration and advancement, and was acting Dean of the former School of Arts and Social Sciences.
Professor Ofulue has authored several publications, and has featured at many national and international conferences. She was a keynote speaker at the University of South Africa’s Research and Innovation week in March 2019. She serves as an editor/reviewer for a number of international journals, including the International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning (IRRODL), and is a member of a several of professional bodies. She also consults on various research and community service-based initiatives, and is currently a language consultant for a Saltwata Vibes, documentary project on the Gullah Geechee creole language and culture, South Carolina, U.S.A.
Her research interests in the field of Linguistics are in sociolinguistics and contact languages with focus on language use in multilingual contexts and in technologically mediated contexts, in particular, Nigerian Pidgin and other minortised language varieties, exploring language ideology and identity construction as social practice. In open distance and eLearning, her focus is on institutional quality assurance mechanisms for flexible delivery to improve educational outcomes and enrich student learning experiences.
Prof. Sam Smah
Industrial Liaison Officer
Prof. Sam O. Smah is Sociology Professor of Criminology, Security Studies and Criminal Justice Administration. Currently the NOUN Director of Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), he has spent three decades in the university system as Researcher, Teacher and Administrator. He has a robust community service track records connecting gown and town.
As Industrial Liaison Officer of NOUN-World Bank-Assisted Africa Centre on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL), he is responsible to the Centre Director in his mandate of interfacing with Industry Partners as well as International and Sectoral Advisory Boards. In addition, he relates with the Legal Department of the University in the preparation/signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) documents.
Prof. Smah has taught at all levels in four different universities, supervised hundreds of students at all levels, has served as external examiner in over six universities, including the University of Forte Hare in South Africa. He is a beneficiary of several national and international research grants and has published extensively in referred national and international fora. His most recent publications include Crimes against the State in Nigeria (co-edited, 2019) and Criminal Victimisation in Urban and Rural Nigeria (in press) and has held editorship of several journals and book projects.
He has held management leadership positions in the university and in government, including covering of duties for the Vice-Chancellor, university Governing Council, Deanship of Faculty and School of Postgraduate Studies and Inter-Ministerial Task Team. He is a Certified Trainer/ Facilitator and Content Developer.
Dr. Adeyinka Oluwabusayo Abiodun
Monitoring And Evaluation Officer
Abiodun Adeyinka obtained her B. Tech Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology Akure, her MSc and PhD. in Computer Science from the University of Ibadan. She is a lecturer and facilitator in the Department of Computer Science, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), and also a facilitator at the Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL-NOUN). Research interest includes Forensic Science, Data Analytics, Pattern Recognition, AI and Data Science and she has a number of publications in these fields that have appeared in high impact journals and learned conferences. She is a member of many associations, among which are the Organization of Women in Science for the Developing World, Black-in-AI amongst others. She is the monitoring and evaluation officer for Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning, National Open University of Nigeria.
Dr. Juliet Iniegbedion
Research Team Leader I
An Associate Professor of Educational Planning and expert in Distance Education, Instructional Design, Project Management, and e-Learning. Dr. Inegbedion is a social entrepreneur and a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration in Nigeria. she has served and held several academic and administrative responsibilities in the university. She has supervised several M.Sc. students’ theses and few Ph.Ds. ongoing. She has several publications at local and international journals.
Dr. Inegbedion has served as keynote speaker and trainer in educational planning, distance education, instructional design for both face-to-face and virtual, and entrepreneurship at national and international levels. Also, served as consultant to Commonwealth of Learning.
She is currently the Director for the Directorate for Entrepreneurship and General studies in the largest university in Nigeria – National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). Being the first Director of the Directorate, she is the first in Nigeria to design a framework in a university education to reach the unreached with entrepreneurship education and mentorship with focus on creativity, innovation, and research.
Dr. Adewale Adeshina
Research Team Leader II
Adewale Adesina is a Lecturer in computer science and Coordinator for short courses at ACETEL.
Adewale focuses on educational technology, elearning, information management and computer networks. Adewale holds a master of science in Information Technology and PhD in Computer Science from Loughborough University, UK and a bachelor of engineering degree from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria.
As a learning facilitator passionate about education reform and revolutionising education, Adewale believes in providing every student with a real-life, applicable, engaging, and personalised learning in which they learn how to learn, develop character and integrity, and get inspired to become lifelong learners and world changers.
His research interests are in the areas of artificial intelligence, learning technologies, internet security, computer and social media networks.
Felix Nwagba
Project Accountant
Felix Nwagba works with National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) as a Chief Accountant in the Bursary department (Final Accounts and Reports Unit), and appointed to Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) as the Finance Officer
Nwagba Seeks to become an icon in his career, in the field of Accounting, Finance, Administration and Management, through continuous academic development and hard work.
Mr. Nwagba has over 20 years working experience in the field of Accounting, Finance, Market Research (Qualitative and quantitative), Management and Administration. These were acquired while studying and working, which gave him the opportunity to match academic theories with practical experience.
He has worked with some reputable Organizations as Accountant, Administrative Manager, Marketing Research (Qualitative and Quantitative) Executive and Finance Officer. He has the following academic qualifications:
- Diploma in Computer Science.
- Professional Diploma in Financial Administration
- B.Sc (Hons) Accounting
- MBA Financial Management with specialty in Security and Portfolio Management
- LL.B (Hons)
He is a member of the following Professional bodies:
- Certified Forensic Accountant (CFA) – ICAN
- Chartered Accountant (ACA) – The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN)
- Chartered Public Finance and Accountant (CPFA – UK) – Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accounting (CIPFA-United Kingdom),
- Chartered Financial Administrator (ACIA) – Chartered Institute of Administration (CIA)
- Chartered/Professional Manager (AMNIM) – Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM)
He has attended many trainings programmes, which includes but not limited to:
- Planning & Control for organizational development
- Leading: A central part of the Administrator’s/Manager’s job.
- Diploma in Computer Science
- Use of Peachtree and Sage Accounting package applications.
- ICAN Technology Competence Initiative programme.
- International Financial Reporting Standard (CertIFRS)
He has served in some Committees in University, which includes but not limited to: Quality Assurance Committee, Strategic Partnership For Higher Education, Innovative And Reform (SPHEIR). Policy document Review Committee.
Mr Nwagba is a meticulous Staff who is dedicated to his work. A devoted Christian, happily married with Four kids.
He likes football, running and photography.
Kazeem Onubaiye
Procurement Officer
QS. Kazeem Onubaiye Otori was born in Ihima, Okeihi LGA of Kogi State. He has Bachelor of Technology in Quantity Surveying from Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State and later proceeded to Prestigious University of Lagos where he obtained Masters of Project Management. He is a staff of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Procurement Unit and Procurement Officer African Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL).
He has worked in area of Procurement for over 13 years. He headed NOUN Procurement Unit in acting capacity and current deputy Head, NOUN Procurement Unit. He has worked with some reputable firms both as Consultant, Contractor and now as Client.
He attended many meaningful Training Programmes and Workshops in Procurement Aspect, Contract Management, Project Management and Administrative Management both local and international.
He belongs to the following Professional bodies.
- The Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveying (NIQS)
- Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN)
- Project Management Institute (PMI)
- Certified Procurement Officer
- Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM)
He has interest in football, reading and travelling as hobby. He is happily married and blessed with kids.
Paul Aliyu
Auditor
Paul Aliyu, a certified national accountant (cna) has worked with the National Open University of Nigeria for over fifteen years and is the pioneer staff of the Internal Audit unit; structuring the unit’s operations and processes with the first and current Director of Internal Audit.
Initially undertaking his National Youth service with the Currency Office of the Central Bank of Nigeria and subsequently working in the internal control department of a defunct commercial bank, he has acquired extensive experience in private and public internal control environments.
He is a keen follower of information technology, making his addition to the ACETEL team a pleasant and highly rewarding experience.
An avid sportsman and fan, he is the coach of the University’s staff basketball team, amateur cyclist, badminton and scrabble player.
Loretta Edozie
Communications Officer
PROFILE LOADING…
Dr. Petu Ibikunle
Environmental Safeguard
SOME TEXT GOES HERE SOME TEXT GOES HERE SOME TEXT GOES HERE SOME TEXT
Bello Abubakar
ICT Officer
Abubakar Bello, is a detailed oriented Information Technology (IT) professional with ten (10) years experience as a Hardware support specialist and systems/network technician.
Skilled in operating in a wide range of platforms, excellent in complex Hardware and Networking issues.
Bello Abubakar
ICT Officer
Abubakar Bello, is a detailed oriented Information Technology (IT) professional with ten (10) years experience as a Hardware support specialist and systems/network technician.
Skilled in operating in a wide range of platforms, excellent in complex Hardware and Networking issues.
Dr. Wada, Bitrus Zira
Quality Assurance Officer
Dr. Wada, Bitrus Zira was born on the12th October, 1968 at Tiljo Bazza Michika Local Government Area Adamawa State. He had his NCE in 1992 at Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri (an affiliation of ABU Zaria). He proceeded to Federal University of Technolgy, Yola now Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola for his First, Masters Degrees and Ph.D in Electrical/Electronics Technology Education (B. Tech Ed. Elect/ Elect), M. Tech Ed Industrial Tech Ed and Ph.D Ind Tech in the year 2001, 2006 and 2015 respectively.
He had ten publications in scholarly journals and had attended several conferences both national and international. He taught in post primary school in Adamawa State for twenty four (24) where rose to the rank of assistant director and a school principal before joining National Open University of Nigeria as a lecturer in the department of Arts and Social Sciences Education where he is currently working. He served as member and chairman of several committees in the Faculty of Education, National Open University of Nigeria which includes curriculum Development committee, Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), Seminar committee, 1st International conference of Faculty of Education local organizing committee among others.
He was appointed as the quality assurance officer, Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL),National Open University of Nigeria on the 25th January, 2019 till date. He is also the current Acting Director Wukari Community Study Centre. He is happily married with children.
Udochukwu Chidiebere Nwakwo
Administrative Team Lead/Deputy Registrar
UDOCHUKWU NWANKWO is an experienced Deputy Registrar with a demonstrated excellent work history in National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He is skilled in Customer Service, University Secretarial Work, Clerking of meetings, and Social Media Influencing/General Communication/information dissemination. He has passion for Research.
In the course of his over twelve years (12+ years) career in NOUN he previously and successfully served in three (3) Study Centre locations namely, Awka, Lokoja and Osogbo.
He also served in the Academic Registry, as Head Admissions Unit, Students Data and Records, Student Affairs, and was member, Senate Secretariat, Business Committee of the Senate (BCS), Committee of Deans and Directors (CDD), University Ceremonials Committee, University Examination Committee etc. He also served as secretary of various staff and students disciplinary committees. In the course of his career he understudied over seven (7) Heads of Departments and Units among who are some of the best Directors and Deputy Registrar’s (Deputy Directors) with varying levels of accumulated experiences. He has been Principal Assistant Registrar over three years and currently serves the University in the World Bank assisted project; Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) as the Administrative Team Leader.
UDOCHUKWU NWANKWO, is a graduate of Political Science/International Relations, and also holds M.Sc. Degree in Political Science/International Relations from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu, and University of Ilorin, Kwara State respectively.
He served as research and administrative staff for Anambra State Government under Anyaoha Management Consultants. He enjoys politics, campaigning and public affairs discussions. He is happily married.