The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a digitally competent teaching workforce capable of delivering quality education for Nigeria’s 21st-century learners. This was stated by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, at the Ministerial Roundtable on Zero-Rated Data and Devices for Nigerian Teachers, held on 23rd October 2025 in Abuja.
Organised by the Federal Ministry of Education with support from the UK-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme, the roundtable launched the pilot phase of the Zero-Rated Data and Mobile Devices Initiative under the Education Public-Private Partnership (ePPP) framework.
The initiative will provide teachers, especially in rural and underserved areas, with free internet access and subsidised smart devices to improve professional development and classroom delivery. From December 2025 to July 2026, 8,000 teachers across the six geopolitical zones will access the Federal Government’s eLearn platform and other approved resources free of charge through participating telecom partners.
Delivering his keynote, Dr. Alausa described the initiative as “a transformative step toward building a digitally competent teaching workforce capable of delivering quality education in the 21st century.” He stressed that teacher quality remains the cornerstone of education reform, and that government is determined to remove the financial barriers that hinder teachers’ use of technology.
“It’s unfortunate that teachers are not being paid enough, and we’re not fooling ourselves. Giving teachers devices and expecting them to pay for data is foolhardy. That’s why we’re here—to create a path for them to access what they need without paying anything,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted ongoing initiatives, including the expansion of e-learning platforms Ignite and Inspire, the full digitalisation of NEMIS with UNICEF support, and the distribution of 60,000 tablets and smartboards nationwide. Every public school, he added, will have solar-powered smartboards by 2027, while AI tools will soon be integrated to guide both teachers and learners.
He further announced the establishment of a Digital Training Academy in partnership with Coursera, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Pluralsight to equip graduates with global tech certifications. Reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Dr. Alausa said education remains central to national renewal and that technology will continue to drive access, quality and equity.
The Minister also inaugurated the Ministerial Implementation Committee (MIC) on ePPP for Zero Data and Devices, chaired by him and coordinated by UBEC. The Committee includes representatives from FMCIDE, TRCN, NERDC, NITDA, Airtel, MTN, UBA, REVRICA, AWS, and partners such as UNICEF, UNESCO, FCDO, PLANE and EdTech Hub.
Representing the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, the Deputy Director for Public-Private Partnerships, Mrs. Elizabeth Afape, said the future of learning in Nigeria is digital, and that bridging the data and device gap is vital for inclusive education. She noted that the theme, “Advancing Digital Learning through Education Public-Private Partnerships (ePPP) in Nigeria,” reflects government’s commitment to collaboration with the private sector and development partners to make digital learning accessible and sustainable.
UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, described the roundtable as “a timely milestone under the Renewed Hope Agenda.” She said UBEC is advancing digitalisation through a Digital Platform Analytics Department, an AI Unit, and funding for states to procure ICT equipment and train teachers.
Dr. Ronke Soyombo, Registrar and Chief Executive of TRCN, described the initiative as “a crucial step toward bridging the digital divide,” noting that only 17 percent of candidates for TRCN’s qualifying exams registered online, highlighting the need for digital inclusion.
Professor Salisu, Executive Secretary of NERDC, observed that while learners are digital natives, many teachers still operate in analogue settings. He pledged NERDC’s support through the Digital Literacy Curriculum developed with NITDA.
Mr. Abubakar Isah, National Coordinator of NEDI, praised the project as “a bold step toward transforming Nigeria’s education system,” while Professor Abiola Awosika, CEO of Oasis Education, commended the Minister for focusing on teachers, describing the initiative as “a lifeline that will enable better learning outcomes.”
Presenting the roadmap, Dr. Gboyega Ilusanya, National Team Lead of PLANE, explained that the pilot will test both tablets and smartphones to assess their effectiveness for teachers. He said a survey of 15,000 teachers showed that many spend up to 12 percent of their salaries on internet access, reinforcing the urgency of zero-rated connectivity. He noted that the pilot would generate evidence for sustainable models of affordable digital learning in Nigeria.
The MIC will produce a costed pilot plan, verified teacher participation data, and regular progress reports, culminating in a comprehensive impact report by July 2026.
With this initiative, the Federal Ministry of Education is ensuring that no teacher is left behind and every Nigerian learner has the opportunity to thrive in a connected, technology-driven classroom.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
