The Federal Government has launched a national initiative to equip teachers across Nigeria with free data access and subsidised mobile devices to enhance digital learning and professional development in classrooms nationwide.
The programme, unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Education on Thursday, is expected to benefit 8,000 teachers in its first phase, covering all six geopolitical zones. The pilot phase will run from December 2025 to July 2026.
Implemented with technical support from the UK-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) initiative, the scheme falls under the government’s Education Public-Private Partnership (ePPP) framework and aligns with the National Digital Learning Policy (NDLP).
Speaking during the Ministerial Roundtable on Zero-Rated Data and Devices for Nigerian Teachers, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as a transformative step toward building a digitally competent teaching workforce capable of delivering high-quality education in the digital age.
Dr. Alausa said the programme represents the Federal Government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that teachers are not left behind in the nation’s technology-driven education reforms.
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“We know it’s unfortunate that teachers are not being paid enough, and we’re not fooling ourselves,” he said. “Giving these teachers devices and expecting them to pay for data is foolhardy. It’s dead on arrival. That’s why we’re here today — to create a path for them to access whatever they need without paying anything.”
Under the initiative, participating teachers will receive mobile learning devices and zero-rated data access through partnerships with telecommunications companies and internet service providers. This arrangement will grant them free entry to the federal government’s eLearn platform and other accredited digital resources without data charges.
According to Dr. Alausa, the project is part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader education reform agenda, which prioritises digital inclusion, skills development, and innovative learning systems across all levels of education.
He commended PLANE and other partners for their collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s education goals, stressing that such partnerships were vital to ensuring sustainability and impact.
In her remarks, the Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Dr. Ronke Soyombo, praised the initiative as a significant step in teacher empowerment and digital transformation within the education sector.
“The provision of zero-rated, subsidised data bundles is not merely a technical solution; it is a strategic intervention that can accelerate digital inclusion, enhance teacher capacity, and improve learning outcomes nationwide,” Dr. Soyombo said.
She added that the intervention would allow teachers to integrate technology more effectively into classroom instruction, engage in continuous professional development, and gain access to global teaching resources that would enhance the quality of instruction across Nigeria.
As part of the event, Dr. Alausa inaugurated the Ministerial Implementation Committee on the Education Public-Private Partnership (ePPP) for Zero Data and Devices, which will oversee the rollout and monitoring of the initiative.
The committee comprises representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), TRCN, major telecommunications firms, and EdTech platforms.
Their responsibilities include finalising the cost framework for the pilot phase, verifying the list of participating teachers and schools, and preparing a comprehensive impact assessment report to guide the programme’s nationwide expansion by July 2026.
Education experts have welcomed the initiative as a timely intervention that could revolutionise digital teaching in Nigeria. They note that empowering teachers with the right tools and connectivity is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on inclusive and equitable quality education.
The programme is also expected to reduce the financial burden on teachers while encouraging the use of technology-enabled teaching methods, ultimately improving classroom engagement and learning outcomes across public schools.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerian teachers are adequately supported and equipped to thrive in a fast-evolving global education landscape.
“This initiative is not just about technology,” he said. “It’s about dignity, access, and opportunity. It’s about giving our teachers the tools they need to transform the future of education in Nigeria.”
