The Federal Government has launched a new initiative aimed at connecting schools across Nigeria to reliable internet services in order to expand digital learning and integrate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, into the country’s education system.
The programme follows a directive by President Bola Tinubu to accelerate the expansion of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and ensure that key sectors, particularly education, benefit from ongoing investments in broadband and telecommunications.
To advance the plan, the Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, held a meeting in Abuja with stakeholders to coordinate collaboration between both ministries on a nationwide school connectivity programme.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folashade Boriowo, discussions focused on developing a framework to ensure internet access reaches institutions at all levels of the education system, including primary and secondary schools, universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Alausa explained that the initiative builds on earlier connectivity efforts implemented through the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), which had previously supported broadband access for tertiary institutions under a World Bank-funded project.
He noted that while the earlier project successfully connected several universities and higher institutions, progress slowed after the initial funding cycle ended, making it necessary to revive and expand the programme to cover the entire education sector.
The minister emphasised that improving connectivity involves more than fibre optic broadband alone. According to him, it also requires telecommunications towers, satellite systems, and other forms of digital infrastructure to deliver stable internet services nationwide.
Alausa disclosed that the government is currently implementing major connectivity projects, including the deployment of about 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic broadband infrastructure, the installation of approximately 3,700 telecommunications towers—particularly in rural and underserved communities—and the expansion of satellite capacity to improve nationwide coverage.
He added that efforts are being made to ensure schools are deliberately integrated into the expanding digital network as broadband cables are laid and telecom towers are installed across the country.
According to him, the government is planning strategically so that new broadband infrastructure will directly connect educational institutions ranging from primary schools to tertiary institutions.
As part of the agreements reached during the meeting, the governing council of NgREN will be expanded to include representatives responsible for foundational and secondary education to enhance coordination across all levels of the education system.
The statement also revealed that two technical working groups will be established to accelerate the implementation of the programme. One group will focus on improving connectivity for tertiary institutions, while the second will address internet access for primary and secondary schools.
Alausa expressed confidence that the first phase of the initiative would begin to show measurable progress within the next three months.
He explained that improved internet access would enable teachers and students to utilise digital learning platforms, access global academic resources, and explore modern technologies that are transforming education worldwide.
The minister added that stronger digital infrastructure would also support ongoing reforms aimed at improving the credibility of national examinations through a gradual transition to Computer-Based Testing.
According to him, major examinations such as those conducted by the West African Examinations Council and the National Examinations Council are expected to fully adopt Computer-Based Testing within the next two to three years, similar to the system already used by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
Speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, stressed that technology-driven education cannot succeed without reliable internet connectivity.
He noted that Nigeria currently has about eight international subsea internet cables—the highest number in Africa—but the major challenge remains distributing that capacity effectively across the country.
Tijani explained that although most of the internet capacity enters Nigeria through submarine cables landing in Lagos, limited inland fibre infrastructure prevents the connection from reaching many communities and institutions nationwide.
He said the ongoing 90,000-kilometre national fibre expansion project is designed to extend broadband connectivity to every local government area in Nigeria.
He further noted that the planned deployment of 3,700 rural telecommunications towers will significantly improve internet access in underserved areas, with many of the towers expected to be located near schools to ensure educational institutions benefit directly.
Both ministers reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration between the education and communications sectors so that investments in digital infrastructure translate into better learning outcomes.
The government also stressed that expanding internet connectivity across the education system will equip students with the digital skills needed to compete in a technology-driven global economy while improving access to quality education across the country.
