Digital Education: Gombe, UNICEF launch Nigeria Learning Passport

Digital Education: Gombe, UNICEF launch Nigeria Learning Passport

By Ahmad Sirajo Makama, Abuja

The Gombe State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has officially launched the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP), marking a significant step toward expanding access to digital education and improving learning outcomes across the state.

The programme’s introduction in Gombe is expected to enhance access to quality learning resources, particularly for children in remote and underserved communities.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, represented by the Head of Civil Service, Professor Mu’azu Shehu, said the initiative aligns with the administration’s vision to extend learning beyond traditional classrooms.

He noted that the programme would ensure every child in Gombe State, regardless of location, has access to quality, inclusive, and continuous education through online, mobile, and eventually offline platforms.

Professor Shehu described the initiative as a clear demonstration of the platform’s potential to bridge educational disparities and democratise access to knowledge.

“Imagine a girl in Nafada, who with just a mobile phone can now access the same quality lessons her PhD levels or Gombe City are having. This is the promise of the Nigerian Learning Passport,” said Prof. Shehu.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafiq, the UNICEF NLP Coordinator in Nigeria, Dr. Harold Kpojime, described the launch as a transformative milestone for education in Gombe State and a key contribution to repositioning learning for the 21st century.

Dr. Kpojime explained that the Nigeria Learning Passport, developed through a partnership between UNICEF and Microsoft, was created in response to the severe disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected more than 1.6 billion learners globally.

He highlighted early implementation efforts in the state, including the provision of 100 tablets for learners and the training of 30 technical team members in digital literacy, blended learning, and generative artificial intelligence.

With Gombe joining the initiative, the platform is now operational in 24 states across Nigeria, offering both online and offline access to learning materials.

According to him, up to 1,000 teachers are expected to be trained across Gombe State, while 20 schools will be connected to support the rollout.

Dr. Kpojime commended the state government’s commitment to education, citing the declaration of a state of emergency in the sector, the development of a 10-year education plan, and targeted interventions aimed at reducing out-of-school children through dedicated frameworks and Safe School Committees.

The programme is being implemented with support from partners including IHS Towers and TECNO, alongside UNICEF, Microsoft, and the Global Partnership for Education.

The platform, which already has more than 2.3 million learners enrolled nationwide, is expected to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes while addressing longstanding gaps in access to quality education.

UNICEF also urged the state government to sustain the initiative by expanding access to digital devices, strengthening monitoring systems to ensure effective use, and continuing to invest in school connectivity.

Also speaking, UNICEF’s focal person in the Gombe State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Lami Garkwa, said the launch represents far more than a routine digital rollout.

“Today, we are not just launching a digital platform; we are opening a door that will never be closed. We are here to officially launch the Nigeria Learning Passport, a gateway to the future for every child,” Mrs. Garkwa said.

She stressed that learning can no longer be confined to the four walls of the classroom, noting that the initiative’s core purpose is to ensure learning never stops.

Mrs. Garkwa revealed that more than 16,000 lessons have been mapped to the national curriculum, giving students across Gombe State access to some of the country’s best teaching resources at no cost.

She added that the initiative is designed to bridge the digital divide, with more than 14,000 devices already distributed nationwide, while partners including Airtel and IHS Towers are expected to provide monthly data support.

On teacher development, she said over 70 teachers have already been trained nationwide in digital literacy and innovative teaching methods, equipping them to serve as 21st-century mentors.

Mrs. Garkwa further emphasised the platform’s cultural relevance, noting that it supports local languages to ensure inclusive access for every household.

She urged students to embrace the platform as a pathway to future careers and leadership opportunities.

“To our teachers and parents, we ask you to be champions of these tools. Encourage your children to engage with the 2.3 million learners already registered across the country,” she added.

The Permanent Secretary of the Gombe State Ministry of Education, Mr. Abubakar Hassan, said the state has made significant progress in rolling out the Nigeria Learning Passport, with selected teachers already undergoing intensive training to cascade knowledge across schools.

He noted that over the past three days, officials worked closely with UNICEF coordinator Dr. Kpojime to ensure the initial trainees were well-equipped to extend the programme to more than 1,000 teachers statewide.

Mr. Hassan also highlighted the establishment of the state’s Information Technology Development Agency as a strategic move to drive digital transformation in education and public administration.

Describing the NLP as an innovative platform, he said it would strengthen teaching and learning by leveraging technology to extend education beyond the classroom.