FG unveils digital empowerment scheme for Nigerian teachers
The Federal Government has rolled out an initiative aimed at equipping Nigerian teachers with affordable digital tools and free internet access to enhance learning and professional growth. The scheme, tagged Zero-Rated Data Access and Subsidised Devices Initiative, is implemented with technical backing from the UK-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme. It […]
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa
The Federal Government has rolled out an initiative aimed at equipping Nigerian teachers with affordable digital tools and free internet access to enhance learning and professional growth.
The scheme, tagged Zero-Rated Data Access and Subsidised Devices Initiative, is implemented with technical backing from the UK-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme. It aligns with the National Digital Learning Policy (NDLP) under the Education Public-Private Partnership (ePPP) framework.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa on Thursday led a high-level roundtable with government officials, private sector leaders, and development partners to inaugurate the initiative’s pilot phase. He also launched a Coordination and Implementation Committee (CIC) to oversee its rollout and ensure effective collaboration across sectors.
“It will be foolhardy to ask teachers who are poorly paid to use their money to buy data and that is why we are partnering with private individuals and organisations to bridge that gap. We need our teachers to be 21st century compliant for them to impact the students well,” Alausa stated.
The CIC comprises representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and partners including PLANE, the British Council, Airtel, MTN, the United Bank for Africa, REVRICA, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Gradely, Tuteria, 1 Million Teachers, Oasis, EdTech Hub, and UNICEF.
Over 8,000 teachers from all six geopolitical zones will participate in the pilot from December 2025 to July 2026, accessing the Federal Government’s eLearn platform and other digital resources free of data charges.
Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, represented by Mrs. Elizabeth Afape, praised the initiative, while TRCN’s Registrar, Dr. Ronke Soyombo, added: “The initiative to provide zero-rated data access to educational platforms is a bold and commendable step toward democratizing digital learning and empowering both teachers and learners across Nigeria.”
Mr Ian Attfield, Senior Education Adviser, British High Commission, highlighted the UK’s support to Nigeria in advancing education technology, urging the government and other stakeholders to bridge existing access gaps. Mr Attfield said, “Education stakeholders must promote scalable, locally adapted solutions that leverage technology to improve teaching quality, learner engagement and national education equity goals”.