The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has officially launched the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in Imo State, marking a significant milestone in the drive to transform education through digital technology and expand access to quality learning for every child.
The launch ceremony, held in Owerri on Wednesday, attracted government officials, development partners, private sector stakeholders, teachers, students, and media representatives. With the rollout, Imo becomes the 25th state in Nigeria to adopt the innovative digital learning platform.
Speaking at the event, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Enugu, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, described the launch as a landmark achievement in the effort to provide inclusive and equitable education for children across Nigeria.
“The launch of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Imo State marks another significant milestone in our collective effort to ensure that every child has access to quality education,” Chiluwe said.
She explained that the platform was developed through a partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria, UNICEF, and Microsoft, with support from the Global Partnership for Education. The initiative was accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic to address learning disruptions and ensure educational continuity for millions of students.
According to Chiluwe, the nationwide rollout began in March 2022 and has already attracted more than 2.3 million learners across the country.
She commended the Imo State Government for its commitment to educational innovation, highlighting the state’s Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA 2022–2026), which prioritizes digital literacy and the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into teaching and learning.
Chiluwe noted that the platform’s online and offline functionality would enable children in both urban and remote communities to access learning materials, helping to bridge educational inequalities.
“Technology alone cannot solve longstanding challenges in education. Continued investments in connectivity, devices, teacher capacity, and accountability mechanisms are essential to ensure that no child is left behind,” she stated.
During a training session held alongside the launch, Team Lead of the Nigeria Learning Passport, Philip Mamman, said the initiative was designed to align Nigeria’s education system with the global digital transformation agenda.
“The programme was borne out of the need to carry the Nigerian education ecosystem along in the digitalisation process,” Mamman explained.
He described the platform as user-friendly and accessible through internet-enabled devices and mobile app stores. He also revealed that Airtel subscribers can access the platform’s content without incurring data charges.
Mamman further disclosed that digitally skilled teachers were selected from schools across Imo State for intensive training. These educators are expected to serve as resource persons, training their colleagues and supporting the integration of digital learning tools in classrooms across the state.
“We selected internet-savvy educators from schools across the state so they can transfer the knowledge to other teachers, who will in turn train students in their schools,” he said.
The launch of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Imo underscores growing efforts to leverage technology to improve learning outcomes, strengthen digital literacy, and prepare Nigerian students for the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy.
