The Federal Government has launched a pilot initiative to provide 8,000 teachers with subsidised mobile devices and zero-rated data access, aimed at enhancing digital learning and classroom delivery across Nigeria.
The scheme, unveiled in Abuja, is backed by the UK-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) and aligns with the National Digital Learning Policy under the Education Public-Private Partnership framework.
Teachers selected from all six geopolitical zones will participate in the pilot from December 2025 to July 2026. They will access the government’s eLearn platform and other approved digital resources at no cost, supported by partner telcos and Internet Exchange providers.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, chaired the launch event and inaugurated a Coordination and Implementation Committee to oversee the programme. The committee includes representatives from key ministries, agencies, and private sector partners.
Alausa stated, “Giving these teachers devices and expecting them to pay for data is foolhardy. We’re here to create a path for them to access whatever they need without paying anything.”
The initiative aims to eliminate data-cost barriers, promote local device innovation, and ensure inclusive access to digital tools, especially for teachers in underserved areas.
Senior Education Adviser at the British High Commission, Ian Attfield, discusses the importance of scalable, locally adapted solutions to improve teaching quality and national education equity.
Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Dr Ronke Soyombo, described the programme as a strategic intervention to accelerate digital inclusion and professional development.
She added, “TRCN is committed to ensuring every teacher in Nigeria is digitally empowered and professionally equipped to thrive in a technology-driven education landscape.”
The pilot is part of broader efforts to integrate technology into Nigeria’s education system and address systemic challenges in teacher support and learning outcomes.
