FG partners MTN, Airtel, others to empower 8,000 teachers with free internet and mobile devices

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched an initiative designed to empower teachers nationwide with zero-rated data access and subsidised devices for improved class delivery and professional development. The pilot phase, which will capture 8,000 teachers nationwide, will run from December 2025 to July 2026.

In a statement released on Friday via a X post, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the initiative removes financial barriers and supports teachers in integrating technology into classrooms nationwide. By providing data-cost barriers, the government is laying the foundation for inclusive and technology-driven learning nationwide.

“Participating teachers will access the Federal Government’s eLearn Platform and other approved digital resources at no cost, powered by zero-rated data access provided through partner telcos and Internet Exchange providers,” the Minister said.

The project, rolled out under a Ministerial Implementation Committee chaired by Dr Alausa, partnered with leading telecom companies MTN and Airtel. Other local and international partners are TRCN, NERDC, UBEC, UBA, NITDA, Amazon, UNICEF, and UNESCO.

The initiative falls under the Renewed Hope Agenda that seeks to equip all public schools with smartboards and AI tools by 2027, ensuring no teacher is left behind in digital learning. It’s also part of its commitment to advance digital learning through an Education Public-Private Partnership (ePPP) framework aligned with the National Digital Learning Policy (NDLP).

Through the initiative of neutralising data cost and promoting local innovation in device production, the Federal Government is providing teachers access to future-ready skills.

“This initiative represents a major step towards integrating digital technology into Nigeria’s education system, ensuring every teacher, especially those in rural and underserved areas, has the tools, content, and connectivity needed to thrive in a 21st-century classroom,” Dr Alausa added.

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Federal government’s move to reshape Nigerian teachers’ image

Under President Tinubu’s administration, the free internet access initiative isn’t the first of such tech-driven initiatives. The federal government has been making efforts to reshape and realign Nigerian teachers with the changing environment.

Earlier this year, the Federal Government rolled out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) training program targeted at 6,000 senior secondary school teachers. 

The initiative, organised by the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC). targeted educators across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The aim was to bring AI into classrooms, improve teaching methods, and equip teachers with modern skills, as well as prepare students for a tech-driven future.

The AI training was an online program sponsored by Google Research and supported by Data Science Nigeria and Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State. The five-week course was divided into five modules and aims to enhance teachers’ ability to use AI in teaching. 

This program reflects a growing trend. Countries worldwide are adding tech skills to their curricula. Nigeria’s effort puts it on the map as a nation investing in its future.

While the focus was on equipping instructors with tech-driven skills, the federal government employed the tool for ethical matters.

In August, it unveiled a Teacher Ethics and Criminal Record Verification initiative for all public and private teachers nationwide. According to the report, the system is designed to verify teachers’ criminal records and ensure that only qualified staff are employed.

Further explanation stated that the criminal records background checks are aimed at unearthing unqualified teachers nationwide within the scheme, and also prevent impersonation and certificate forgery. The initiative is also expected to create a digital space for teachers’ records and promote transparency in the recruitment process. 

The federal government explained that recent initiatives are directed at elevating the status of teachers and ensuring their practices align with the 21st-century trends.