The Nigerian Federal Government has unveiled a new program aimed at equipping educators across the country with free data access and discounted digital devices to enhance teaching quality and foster continuous professional growth. This pilot scheme will engage 8,000 teachers nationwide and is scheduled to run from December 2025 through July 2026.
Announced on Friday via a post on X, Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa emphasized that this initiative eliminates financial obstacles, enabling teachers to seamlessly incorporate technology into their classrooms. By offering zero-rated data, the government is paving the way for a more inclusive, tech-enabled educational environment throughout Nigeria.
“Teachers enrolled in this program will enjoy complimentary access to the Federal Government’s eLearn Platform and other authorized digital learning tools, supported by zero-rated data provided by collaborating telecom operators and Internet Exchange partners,” the Minister explained.
The initiative is spearheaded by a Ministerial Implementation Committee led by Dr. Alausa and involves strategic partnerships with major telecom providers MTN and Airtel. Additional collaborators include the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), United Bank for Africa (UBA), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Amazon, UNICEF, and UNESCO.
This program is a key component of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to equip all public schools with smartboards and artificial intelligence tools by 2027, ensuring that no educator is left behind in the digital transformation of learning. It also aligns with the government’s commitment to advancing digital education through a Public-Private Partnership (ePPP) framework consistent with the National Digital Learning Policy (NDLP).
By removing data costs and encouraging local innovation in device manufacturing, the government is empowering teachers with skills essential for the future.
“This marks a significant milestone in embedding digital technology within Nigeria’s education system, guaranteeing that every teacher, particularly those in remote and underserved regions, has access to the necessary tools, content, and connectivity to excel in modern classrooms,” Dr. Alausa added.
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Transforming the Perception of Nigerian Educators
Under President Tinubu’s leadership, this free internet access initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize and realign Nigerian teachers with evolving educational demands.
Earlier this year, the government launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) training program targeting 6,000 senior secondary school teachers nationwide. This effort, coordinated by the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), reached educators across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Its goal was to integrate AI into teaching practices, enhance pedagogical methods, and prepare students for a technology-driven future.
The AI training was delivered online, sponsored by Google Research, and supported by Data Science Nigeria and Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State. The comprehensive five-week course was segmented into five modules designed to boost teachers’ proficiency in applying AI within their classrooms.
This initiative reflects a global movement where countries are embedding technological competencies into their education systems. Nigeria’s proactive approach positions it as a forward-thinking nation investing in its educational future.
Beyond skill development, the government has also prioritized ethical standards in teaching. In August, it introduced a Teacher Ethics and Criminal Record Verification system applicable to all public and private educators nationwide. This platform is designed to authenticate teachers’ backgrounds, ensuring that only qualified individuals are employed.
The system aims to identify unqualified teachers, prevent identity fraud and certificate forgery, and establish a transparent digital repository of teacher records to streamline recruitment processes.
These recent measures underscore the government’s dedication to elevating the teaching profession and aligning educational practices with contemporary global standards.