The Federal Government has introduced a new programme aimed at connecting schools across Nigeria to dependable internet services, with the goal of expanding digital education and incorporating modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, into the nation’s learning system.
The initiative followed a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fast-track the expansion of the country’s digital infrastructure and ensure that critical sectors, especially education, benefit from ongoing broadband and telecommunications investments.
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 key stakeholders to align efforts between the two ministries on the nationwide school connectivity programme.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the ministry, Folashade Boriowo, discussions focused on designing a framework that will ensure internet connectivity reaches institutions at all levels of the education system, including primary and secondary schools as well as universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Alausa explained that the initiative builds on earlier work undertaken through the Nigerian Research and Education Network, which previously supported broadband access for tertiary institutions under a project funded by the World Bank.
He said although the earlier programme achieved progress in connecting universities and other higher institutions, the momentum slowed after the initial funding cycle expired, making it necessary to revive and broaden 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 across the country,” he said.
According to the minister, the government is currently executing large-scale connectivity projects, including “the deployment of approximately 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic broadband infrastructure, the installation of about 3,700 telecommunications towers, particularly in rural and underserved communities, and the expansion of satellite capacity to strengthen nationwide coverage.”
He added that the government is making efforts to ensure that schools are intentionally integrated into the expanding digital network as new broadband cables are laid and telecom towers installed across the country.
“We are planning proactively so that as broadband cables are laid and towers deployed across the country, they are strategically connected to our schools from primary and junior secondary schools to senior secondary schools and all tertiary institutions,” Alausa said.
As part of the resolutions 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 the full education system.
The statement noted that the minister also announced the establishment of two technical working groups to speed up implementation. One group will concentrate on strengthening connectivity for tertiary institutions, while the second will address internet access for foundational and secondary schools.
Alausa expressed optimism that the first phase of the programme would begin to deliver noticeable improvements within the next three months.
He noted that improved internet access would allow teachers and students to utilise digital learning platforms, global academic resources and emerging technologies that are transforming education systems around the world.
The minister added that expanded digital infrastructure would also support ongoing reforms aimed at improving the credibility of national examinations through the gradual shift to Computer-Based Testing.
“We plan that within the next two to three years, major examinations such as WAEC and NECO will transition fully to Computer-Based Testing, similar to what is currently being implemented by JAMB,” he said.
Also speaking, Tijani said technology-driven education cannot function effectively without strong internet connectivity.
He explained that although Nigeria currently hosts about eight international subsea internet cables, the highest number in Africa, the main challenge remains distributing that capacity across the country.
“Most of the internet capacity enters Nigeria through submarine cables landing in Lagos, but without sufficient inland fibre infrastructure, that capacity cannot effectively reach schools and communities across the country,” he said.
According to him, the ongoing 90,000-kilometre national fibre expansion project is designed to extend broadband connectivity to every local government area in Nigeria.
He further stated that the planned installation of 3,700 rural telecommunications towers will significantly improve access in underserved communities, with many of the facilities 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 Federal Government also stressed that expanding connectivity across the country’s education system will equip students with the digital skills needed to compete in a technology-driven global economy while improving access to quality education nationwide, the statement added.
