Nigeria Moves to Bring Reliable Internet to Every School

Nigeria is moving to strengthen digital learning by connecting schools across the country to reliable internet services. The plan aims to give students and teachers access to modern learning tools, online resources, and technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The initiative followed a high-level meeting between the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani. The outcome of the meeting was disclosed in a statement by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.

Dr. Alausa said the programme is part of a broader effort to expand digital infrastructure in critical sectors, particularly education. The goal is to create a coordinated system that connects foundational schools, secondary schools, universities, and colleges to dependable internet access.

To achieve this, the government plans to deploy about 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic broadband infrastructure and install 3,700 telecommunications towers, especially in rural and underserved communities. Connectivity will not rely on fibre alone; it will also include telecom towers, satellite systems, and other digital infrastructure to ensure schools in different locations can access stable internet.

The strategy builds on earlier work by the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), which previously delivered broadband connectivity to universities through a World Bank-funded programme. Although that effort improved internet access in higher institutions, it slowed after the funding ended, prompting the government to expand the initiative nationwide.

To manage implementation, two technical working groups have been set up, one for tertiary institutions and another for foundational and secondary schools. In addition, the NgREN governing council will be expanded to include representatives from all education levels to improve coordination.

Education authorities expect the first phase to produce visible results within three months, allowing students and teachers to access digital learning platforms and global knowledge resources more easily. Improved connectivity could also support examination reforms, including a gradual move toward Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for national examinations.

Bosun Tijani noted that Nigeria already has significant international internet capacity, with about eight subsea cables landing in Lagos. The real challenge, he explained, is distributing that capacity inland so that schools and communities across the country can benefit.

The plan aligns with broader digital education efforts already underway. Nigeria recently launched its National Educational Technology (EdTech) Strategy, aimed at expanding digital learning, strengthening teacher training, and improving access to education in underserved communities.

In 2025, the government introduced eLearn, a centralised e-learning platform developed with support from the UK-funded PLANE programme. The platform provides curriculum-aligned exercises, videos, and learning materials for students and teachers from basic to tertiary levels.

Another initiative, the Inspire Live(s) programme, delivers real-time interactive lessons to learners nationwide, helping maintain learning where teacher shortages or location barriers exist.

Together, these efforts signal a growing commitment to integrating technology into Nigeria’s classrooms and preparing students for a rapidly evolving digital world.