UNICEF has forged a long-term partnership with the Department of Science Education at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria to train pre-service teachers on the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP), marking a significant step in transforming education in Nigeria.
This collaboration is aimed at preparing a new generation of educators who are proficient in using technology to enhance student learning, aligning with both global education standards and Nigeria’s educational goals.
The Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) is a flexible digital learning platform that allows continuous access to quality education through online, mobile, and offline capabilities. It aims to support children and youths in acquiring skills for the future, offering a tool for both teachers and learners to complement classroom-based learning and integrate digital education.
During the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing, Professor Jonathan Mari, Head of the Department of Science Education at ABU Zaria, expressed optimism about the collaboration. “The coming of UNICEF has enhanced the department’s hope of producing quality teachers. This has given us the assurance to get ready to work,” he said. “Truly speaking, when teachers are not there, you cannot have a nation. We will continue to educate the teachers so they can have the capacity to improve the quality of education in Nigeria.”
Dr. Idris Baba, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, explained that the choice of ABU to pilot the program was due to the university’s strong reputation in training educators in science subjects. “The institution has been at the forefront of training educators who excel in teaching various science subjects,” Baba said. He outlined that the department would provide pre-service teachers to pilot lessons integrated with NLP during their teaching practice.
He also emphasized the importance of aligning the course content with the latest educational technology trends. “Representatives from UNICEF will work with the department’s curriculum review committee to identify content areas that align with current undergraduate courses,” Baba stated. “A pilot course integrating NLP resources will be tested for one semester, followed by evaluation and feedback for improvement.”
This partnership aims to modernize the curriculum, preparing students for a 21st-century education system where digital competency is essential. Baba added, “The collaboration will increase understanding and utilization of the NLP platform among pre-service and in-service teachers, fostering continuous professional development for educators while enhancing teaching methodologies.”
He hinted at the potential for expanding the program across other departments within the Faculty of Education at ABU Zaria in the future. “To help track the success of the collaboration over time, we can research specific improvements in digital literacy, teaching effectiveness, and student engagement,” he concluded.
