…connect 2,000 schools to Digital Learning Platforms

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Airtel Africa, in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, have connected nearly 2,000 schools across Nigeria to digital learning platforms, reaching about one million students and more than 20,000 teachers.

The partnership, which seeks to expand access to free digital education, digital skills and livelihood opportunities, has also facilitated digital literacy training for more than 19,000 teachers.

This was disclosed in a joint press release signed by the Communication Officer, UNICEF Nigeria, Blessing Ejiofor, and the Director of Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility at Airtel Nigeria, Femi Adeniran which was  made available to journalists, following a visit of joint Airtel Africa–UNICEF delegation, alongside government partners, to some schools and youth programmes in Lagos and Abuja.

The visit was to assess the impact of the initiative and to observe how it is improving digital learning and creating opportunities for young people.

The initiative is part of a five-year partnership between Airtel Africa and UNICEF aimed at bridging the digital divide and improving access to quality education across the continent.

During visits to 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 (AI) tools, to support teaching and learning.

At Yaba College of Technology, young people demonstrated how the Passport to Earning programme and the Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA), a digital platform, are equipping them with digital, employability and entrepreneurial skills.

The platforms also provide pathways to mentorship, internships and livelihood opportunities, helping young people translate their learning into economic opportunities.

The partnership has also removed data-cost barriers to digital education by zero-rating selected learning platforms, allowing users to access them without incurring data charges.

The platforms include 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.

In Abuja, the delegation met with representatives of the Office of the Vice President and the Federal Ministry of Education to discuss strategies for strengthening the initiative and improving learning outcomes.

Key areas of discussion included reliable connectivity, quality digital learning content, teacher training, inclusive design, stronger data systems, child online safety and sustainable financing.

Speaking at the visits, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Rownak Khan, said that the partnership with Airtel and the Nigerian government was supporting teachers and creating pathways from learning to earning and opportunities needed to shape their future.

“Access to free Digital learning not only bridge the digital divide but also brings children and young people closer to the knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to shape their and country’s future,” Khan said.

Khan stressed the need to prioritise girls, children with disabilities and those in underserved communities to ensure equitable access to the benefits of digital education.

Also speaking, Chief of Staff to the Chairman of Airtel Africa Garreth Spillane said connectivity could create transformative opportunities when it enabled students to access quality digital learning and helped teachers use digital tools effectively.

“Working with UNICEF and governments, we will continue to connect schools, remove data-cost barriers through zero-rated learning platforms and support teachers across the continent,” he said.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, said transforming education in Nigeria required strong partnerships aligned with government priorities and learners’ needs.

“We must strengthen teachers’ capacity, expand access to quality digital content, protect children online and ensure digital learning reaches every child, wherever they live,” Ahmad said.

The partners reaffirmed their commitment to advancing these priorities to ensure that digital learning benefits more children and young people across Nigeria.

According the press release, aross 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.