The Federal Government, Airtel Africa and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have expanded access to digital education in Nigeria, connecting nearly 2,000 schools and reaching about one million students through a joint learning initiative.
The partnership is also supporting teacher development, digital literacy and youth employability by providing free access to selected online learning platforms and skills programmes.
The progress was highlighted during a joint Airtel Africa-UNICEF delegation’s visits to schools and youth programmes in Lagos, where students, teachers and young people demonstrated how digital tools are improving access to learning and employment opportunities.
At Government Senior College, Agege, and St George’s U.N.A. Primary School, the delegation observed students and teachers using digital learning resources, including artificial intelligence tools.
At Yaba College of Technology, young people demonstrated how the Passport to Earning initiative and the Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA), a digital platform, are equipping them with digital, entrepreneurship and employability skills while providing access to mentorship, internships and livelihood opportunities.
A statement issued by UNICEF Communication and Advocacy Specialist, Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships, Susan Akila, said the initiative had connected nearly 2,000 schools nationwide and reached approximately one million students and more than 20,000 teachers.
More than 19,000 teachers have also received digital literacy training under the partnership.
The initiative reduces the cost barriers associated with online education by providing free data access to selected platforms, including the Nigeria Learning Passport, the Federal Ministry of Education’s Inspire and Ignite platforms, the Digital National Education Management Information System and YOMA.
According to the statement, the Nigeria Learning Passport alone has recorded more than 2.5 million registered students and nearly 100,000 registered teachers.
Beyond school visits, the delegation held meetings in Abuja with the Office of the Vice President and the Federal Ministry of Education to discuss measures to improve connectivity, expand access to quality digital content and strengthen teacher training.
The discussions also focused on inclusive learning systems, improved education data management, child online safety and sustainable funding to ensure better learning outcomes.
UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Rownak Khan, said access to free digital learning could help bridge the digital divide while equipping children and young people with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to national development.
She said the partnership was supporting teachers and creating pathways from education to employment, stressing that girls, children with disabilities and learners in underserved communities must be prioritised.
Garreth Spillane, Chief of Staff to the Chairman of Airtel Africa and a member of the Foundation Committee, said connectivity created greater opportunities when combined with quality educational content and effective use of digital tools by teachers.
He reaffirmed Airtel Africa’s commitment to working with UNICEF and governments to connect schools, remove data-cost barriers and support teachers across the continent.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, said improving education in Nigeria required partnerships aligned with government priorities and the needs of learners.
She stressed the importance of strengthening teachers’ capacity, expanding access to quality digital resources, protecting children online and ensuring that learners across the country benefit from digital education.
Across 13 African countries, the five-year Airtel Africa-UNICEF partnership has connected more than 3,000 schools, provided zero-rated access to more than 60 learning platforms and reached over 2.5 million children.
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