- The Federal Government announced plans to connect all Nigerian schools to reliable internet to boost digital learning
- The initiative follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to expand digital infrastructure in key sectors, including education
- The programme aims to support examination reforms and a gradual shift to Computer-Based Testing (CBT)
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to connect all schools across Nigeria to reliable internet services, aiming to strengthen digital learning and broaden access to modern educational tools.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, March 11, by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.
She said the initiative was discussed during a high-level meeting between the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.
Dr. Alausa explained that the initiative follows a directive from President Bola Tinubu to expand digital infrastructure across key sectors, including education.
He emphasised that technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), would be leveraged to enhance teaching and learning in Nigeria.
“The initiative will develop a coordinated framework to ensure connectivity across all levels of education, from foundational and secondary schools to universities and colleges,” Alausa said.
The minister added that the programme builds on earlier efforts by the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), which provided broadband access to universities under a World Bank-funded project.
While progress was made, the programme slowed after funding ended, prompting the current expanded strategy.
Under the new plan, the federal government aims to deploy approximately 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic broadband infrastructure and install 3,700 telecommunications towers, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The approach is designed to ensure that schools nationwide are deliberately connected.
“Connectivity is not limited to fibre alone but also involves towers, satellite systems, and other digital infrastructure needed for reliable internet access,” Alausa added.
To drive implementation, two technical working groups have been established, focusing separately on tertiary institutions and foundational and secondary schools.
Additionally, the NgREN governing council will be expanded to include representatives from all education levels, improving coordination.
The minister expressed optimism that the first phase of the initiative would produce visible results within three months, allowing students and teachers to access digital platforms, global knowledge resources, and emerging technologies such as AI.
“Expanded digital infrastructure will also support examination reforms, including a gradual transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for national examinations,” Alausa said.
Minister Tijani highlighted the importance of reliable connectivity for technology-driven education.
He explained that while Nigeria is connected to around eight international subsea internet cables, distributing that capacity inland through fibre networks remains a challenge.
“Most of the internet capacity enters Nigeria through submarine cables landing in Lagos, but without sufficient inland fibre infrastructure, that capacity cannot effectively reach schools and communities across the country,” Tijani said.
The Federal Government recently inaugurated Nigeria’s first National Educational Technology (EdTech) Strategy, a framework designed to scale digital learning nationwide, strengthen teacher training, and promote inclusive access, particularly in underserved communities.
In 2025, the government also launched eLearn, a centralised e-learning platform developed with support from the UK-funded PLANE programme.
The platform provides students and teachers, from basic to tertiary levels, with curriculum-aligned exercises, videos, and learning materials, helping expand access to quality education across the country.
Most recently, the Inspire Live(s) programme was introduced, streaming real-time, interactive lessons to learners nationwide, bridging gaps created by teacher shortages or location constraints and ensuring continuity of education.