The Federal Government has earmarked ₦21 billion in the 2026 budget for the expansion of online learning in public secondary schools and the construction of perimeter fencing in 118 Federal Unity Colleges across the country.
A breakdown of the budget shows that ₦14 billion has been allocated to school security through perimeter fencing, while ₦7 billion is dedicated to online learning initiatives for secondary schools. The projects are listed as ongoing and are being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
The allocation for online learning represents a 63.2 per cent reduction compared to the ₦10 billion provided for the same purpose in the 2025 budget. In the budget documents, the digital education project is titled Online Classroom Platform for Secondary Schools, while the security initiative is listed as Provision of Security Infrastructure in 118 Unity Colleges: Perimeter Fencing.
The Federal Government launched a nationwide virtual learning programme last year to address the shortage of qualified teachers and ensure continuity of learning across the country.
According to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, the deployment of technology for live and interactive lessons helps democratise access to quality education and ensures that no child is excluded due to location or circumstances. He noted that the initiative would be expanded to cover all class levels.
Data from the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) indicate that more than 5.5 million students are enrolled in public and private senior secondary schools, while figures from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) show that over eight million students are attending junior secondary schools nationwide.
The minister also disclosed that the Federal Government has introduced Ignite, a teacher-centred digital platform designed to reduce workload while improving instructional quality. He added that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched the Diaspora Bridge, a programme that connects Nigerians with global experts to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) education.
To improve access to digital resources, Alausa said the ministry has supported the distribution of 60,000 tablets to teachers and is working with telecommunications partners to implement a zero-data access plan, allowing teachers to use approved training platforms without incurring data costs.
He further noted that the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) digital platform has been upgraded to enhance professional registration, monitoring, and career development. In addition, teacher educators have been trained nationwide, digital learning platforms expanded, and Communities of Practice established to promote peer-led professional growth.
The minister said the government is also advancing the Accelerated Teacher Training Programme (ATTP) to fast-track professionalisation for in-service teachers, including structured pathways for those without education backgrounds. He added that the newly introduced National Teacher Policy is intended to provide long-term direction on teacher development, welfare, deployment, and professional standards, while ensuring coherence across reforms at all levels.
