The Federal Government has unveiled plans to connect schools across Nigeria to reliable internet services as part of a broader strategy to expand digital learning and modernize the country’s education system.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed the initiative in a statement on Tuesday, explaining that the move is aimed at strengthening access to digital tools, improving teaching methods, and preparing Nigerian students for a technology-driven global economy.
The plan was discussed during a high-level meeting between Alausa and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. According to the education minister, the initiative follows a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to accelerate the expansion of digital infrastructure across critical sectors, including education.
Alausa noted that connecting schools to reliable internet would unlock opportunities for digital learning and the integration of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) in classrooms across the country.
“By connecting our schools, we are opening the door to digital learning, emerging technologies like AI, and the gradual transition to Computer-Based Testing for national examinations. This will ensure Nigerian students are equipped to thrive in a digital, knowledge-driven world,” he said.
He explained that the programme will establish a coordinated national framework to provide internet connectivity at all levels of education—from foundational and secondary schools to universities and other tertiary institutions.
The initiative also builds on earlier efforts by the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), which previously provided broadband connectivity to universities through a World Bank-supported project. Although the programme recorded notable progress, its expansion slowed after the funding cycle ended, prompting the federal government to pursue a broader and more sustainable strategy.
As part of the new plan, the government intends to deploy approximately 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic broadband infrastructure and install about 3,700 telecommunications towers, particularly in rural and underserved communities, to ensure schools across the country are connected.
Alausa stressed that the connectivity strategy will not rely solely on fibre networks but will also incorporate telecommunications towers, satellite systems, and other digital infrastructure required to guarantee reliable internet access nationwide.
To facilitate implementation, two technical working groups have been established—one focusing on tertiary institutions and the other on foundational and secondary education. In addition, the governing council of NgREN will be expanded to include representatives from all levels of the education sector to improve coordination and oversight.
The minister expressed optimism that the first phase of the programme could begin delivering visible results within three months, enabling teachers and students to access digital platforms, global knowledge resources, and advanced technologies such as AI.
He added that the expanded digital infrastructure will also support examination reforms, including the gradual transition of national examinations to Computer-Based Testing (CBT).
Minister Tijani emphasized that while Nigeria already hosts about eight international subsea internet cables, the country’s main challenge lies in distributing this capacity inland through fibre networks to reach schools and communities.
“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 explained.
The latest initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader push to digitize education. Recently, the government launched Nigeria’s first National Educational Technology (EdTech) Strategy, a comprehensive framework designed to expand digital learning, strengthen teacher training, and promote inclusive access to education—particularly in underserved areas.
In 2025, the government also introduced eLearn, a centralized e-learning platform developed with support from the UK-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme. The platform provides students and teachers from basic to tertiary levels with curriculum-aligned exercises, instructional videos, and other learning resources.
Another initiative, Inspire Live(s), further complements these efforts by delivering real-time interactive lessons to students across the country, helping bridge gaps caused by teacher shortages and geographical barriers while ensuring continuity of learning.
Together, these programmes signal a major push by the Federal Government to harness technology in transforming Nigeria’s education system and expanding access to quality learning opportunities nationwide.
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