The federal government on Wednesday, March 11, launched a new initiative to connect schools across Nigeria to reliable internet services, aiming to expand digital learning and integrate modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, into the country’s education system.
The initiative follows a directive by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to accelerate the expansion of national digital infrastructure and ensure that key sectors, particularly education, benefit from ongoing broadband and telecommunications investments.
To drive the plan, the minister of education, Maruf Alausa, and the minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, Bosun Tijani, met in Abuja with key stakeholders to coordinate efforts between both ministries on the nationwide school connectivity programme.
According to a statement signed by the director of press and public relations at the ministry, Folashade Boriowo, discussions focused on developing a framework to 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 carried out through the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), which had previously supported broadband connectivity for tertiary institutions under a World Bank-funded project.
He stated, “Although the earlier programme linked universities and higher institutions, progress slowed after the initial funding cycle ended.
“It is now necessary to revive and expand the initiative to cover the entire education sector.
“Connectivity is not limited to broadband fibre alone. It also involves telecommunications towers, satellite systems, and other digital infrastructure required to provide reliable internet access nationwide.”
Alausa noted that the government is implementing large-scale projects, including 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic broadband, the installation of about 3,700 telecommunications towers, particularly in rural areas, and the expansion of satellite capacity to strengthen coverage.
“We are planning strategically so that as broadband cables are laid and towers deployed, schools from primary to tertiary institutions—are deliberately integrated into the network,” he said.
The governing council of NgREN will be expanded to include representatives responsible for primary and secondary education, while two technical working groups will accelerate implementation one for tertiary institutions and the other for foundational and secondary schools.
Alausa expressed confidence that the first phase of the programme would yield tangible improvements within three months.
He added that enhanced internet access will enable teachers and students to access digital learning platforms, global academic resources, and emerging technologies.
“Expanded digital infrastructure will also support ongoing reforms aimed at improving the integrity of national examinations through a gradual transition to Computer-Based Testing. Within the next two to three years, major exams such as West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) will fully transition, similar to Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB),” he said.
Tijani emphasized that technology-driven education requires strong internet connectivity.
He noted that Nigeria has about eight international subsea cables, the highest in Africa, but challenges remain in distributing that capacity across the country.
“Most internet capacity enters through submarine cables landing in Lagos, but without sufficient inland fibre, that capacity cannot effectively reach schools and communities,” he said.
The ongoing 90,000-kilometre national fibre expansion and deployment of 3,700 rural telecommunications towers aim to connect every local government area, ensuring schools benefit directly.
Both ministers reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaboration between the education and communications sectors, ensuring that digital infrastructure investments translate into improved learning outcomes.
The government also stressed that expanded connectivity will equip students with digital skills needed to compete globally while improving access to quality education nationwide
