The Federal Government has unveiled a new initiative aimed at connecting schools across Nigeria to reliable internet services in a bid to expand digital learning and introduce modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, into the education system.
The move follows a directive by President Bola Tinubu to accelerate the expansion of national digital infrastructure and ensure key sectors, particularly education, benefit from ongoing broadband and telecommunications investments.
To drive the programme, the Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, met with stakeholders in Abuja to coordinate efforts between both ministries on the nationwide school connectivity project.
According to a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folashade Boriowo, discussions focused on developing a framework that will ensure internet access reaches institutions at all levels—from primary and secondary schools to universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Alausa said the initiative builds on earlier efforts implemented through the Nigerian Research and Education Network, which previously supported broadband connectivity for tertiary institutions under a project funded by the World Bank.
He explained that although the earlier programme recorded progress in connecting universities and other higher institutions, the pace slowed after the initial funding cycle ended, making it necessary to revive and expand the initiative to cover the entire education sector.
The minister noted that connectivity involves more than broadband fibre, stressing that telecommunications towers, satellite systems and other digital infrastructure are required to provide reliable internet access nationwide.
According to him, the government is currently implementing major connectivity projects, including the deployment of about 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic broadband infrastructure, the installation of roughly 3,700 telecommunications towers—particularly in rural and underserved communities—and the expansion of satellite capacity to strengthen coverage across the country.
He said the government is also working to ensure schools are integrated into the growing digital network as broadband cables are laid and telecom towers deployed nationwide.
“We are planning proactively so that as broadband cables are laid and towers deployed across the country, they are strategically connected to our schools—from primary and junior secondary schools to senior secondary schools and all tertiary institutions,” Alausa said.
As part of decisions reached during the meeting, the governing council of the Nigerian Research and Education Network will be expanded to include representatives responsible for foundational and secondary education to strengthen coordination across the education system.
The minister also announced the creation of two technical working groups to accelerate implementation. One group will focus on improving internet connectivity for tertiary institutions, while the other will address access for foundational and secondary schools.
Alausa expressed optimism that the first phase of the programme would begin to yield visible improvements within the next three months, adding that improved internet access would enable teachers and students to access digital learning platforms, global academic resources and emerging technologies transforming education worldwide.
He further noted that improved digital infrastructure would support ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the integrity of national examinations through a gradual transition to computer-based testing.
According to him, major examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council and the National Examinations Council could move fully to Computer-Based Testing within the next two to three years, similar to the system already used by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
Speaking at the meeting, Tijani said technology-driven education cannot thrive without strong internet connectivity. He explained that although Nigeria has about eight international subsea internet cables—the highest number in Africa—the main challenge lies in distributing that capacity across the country.
“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 nationwide,” he said.
He added that the ongoing 90,000-kilometre national fibre expansion project is designed to extend broadband connectivity to every local government area in the country.
Tijani also said the planned deployment of 3,700 rural telecommunications towers will improve access in underserved communities, noting that many of the installations will be located near schools to ensure educational institutions benefit directly.
Both ministers reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration between the education and communications sectors so that investments in digital infrastructure translate into improved learning outcomes.
They added that expanding internet connectivity across the education system will equip students with the digital skills needed to compete in a technology-driven global economy while improving access to quality education nationwide.
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