Ministers push unified National EdTech Vision, vow inclusive digital learning for every Nigerian child

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Ministers of Education and of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy on Friday reaffirmed a joint commitment to build an integrated, interoperable, and inclusive digital education ecosystem aimed at transforming teaching and learning across the country.

Speaking during a special panel session at the Nigeria National EdTech Strategy Mid-Term Co-creation Workshop in Abuja—organised in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and the World Bank Group—Dr. Tunji Alausa and Dr. Bosun Tijani emphasized urgency, collaboration, and a break from the traditionally siloed approach within government.

The session, designed as an interactive exchange rather than formal speeches, underscored the need for clarity and coordinated action.

“Doing nothing is failure,” Education Minister warns

Responding to why education must undergo urgent transformation, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said Nigeria cannot continue using outdated learning frameworks while preparing children for a digital global economy.

“Doing nothing, or doing what we did before, is a total failure. We must embrace technology in how we deliver content to students, how we train teachers, how classrooms operate, and how learning materials are accessed,” he said.

Alausa disclosed that hundreds of smart schools and digital teaching platforms are already being deployed. He added that within four months, every classroom in federal government-owned secondary schools will have a smart board with full internet access.

He also acknowledged that many teachers cannot afford data to access digital content. To address this, the government is working on zero-rated data access so teachers can log in to training platforms at no cost. Additionally, a structured compensation mechanism to reward teachers who complete verified online professional development will begin in January.

Alausa further revealed that teacher-focused platforms have been restructured to support skill development, troubleshooting, maintenance, and sustained implementation.

“It’s not just about installing smart boards or building innovation labs. There must be systems that make them work, remain functional, and deliver results.”

He also noted that Nigeria has begun real-time online subject instruction for junior secondary students, using master teachers to deliver interactive virtual lessons accessible to both public and private schools.

Tijani: Education needs interoperable digital infrastructure like the financial sector

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said no modern economy can grow without a digitally empowered education system.

He cited Nigeria’s financial technology ecosystem as an example of successful collaboration.

“Nigeria has the best inter-bank settlement infrastructure in Africa because banks built an interoperable system. That’s why your money moves from Bank A to Bank B in seconds. Education needs the same approach.”

Tijani stressed that technology is not just about tools but an ecosystem involving content creators, educators, engineers, telecom providers, investors, device manufacturers, maintenance technicians, and regulators.

“If we don’t have a unified strategy, technology becomes something we spend money on but never derive value from,” he warned.

Connecting 30 million unserved Nigerians

Addressing digital inclusion in rural and underserved areas, Tijani announced significant upcoming infrastructure investments.

He revealed that the government will install 4,000 telecommunications towers targeting over 30 million Nigerians currently without internet connectivity. These towers will link to a nationwide fibre-optic backbone to reduce data costs and increase connection speeds.

“Whether in Makoko, Borno IDP camps, or remote villages in Kebbi, every child must have access to quality digital learning content. Connectivity must become a national infrastructure, not a luxury.”

He also disclosed ongoing negotiations to reduce the cost of smart devices, including local manufacturing options that leverage Nigeria’s lithium deposits for battery production.

Ending fragmentation: A unified national education data system

Both ministers agreed that previous interventions by agencies such as NCC, USPF, NITDA, and TETFund were impactful but fragmented.

Alausa said this gap is being closed through the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI), which will support unified data systems, cross-platform communication, integrated learning records, and national-level planning and monitoring.

“Education must speak with one voice. We are not creating another policy that gathers dust. Implementation is the priority now,” he said.

Driving a $1 trillion economy through digital education

As Nigeria pursues a $1 trillion economy, the ministers insisted that such ambition is unattainable without transforming schooling into a skills-driven, problem-solving, technology-powered system.

“Any teacher who doesn’t understand how to use artificial intelligence is already behind,” Tijani noted.

The workshop is expected to produce an actionable blueprint for EdTech interoperability, teacher training, digital inclusion, and real-time content delivery nationwide.

Both ministers pledged that the initiative will not end as another impressive document but will result in measurable, irreversible transformation in how Nigerian children learn.

“We are moving at the speed of light on this. Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind,” Alausa added.

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