The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a new initiative to connect schools across the country to reliable internet services as part of efforts to expand digital learning and integrate modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, into Nigeria’s education system.
The programme follows a directive by Bola Ahmed Tinubu to accelerate the expansion of national digital infrastructure and ensure that critical sectors, particularly education, benefit from ongoing broadband and telecommunications investments.
To drive the initiative, 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 implementation of the nationwide school connectivity programme.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folashade Boriowo, the meeting focused on developing a framework to extend internet access to institutions at all levels of the education system, from primary and secondary schools to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Alausa said the initiative builds on earlier efforts under the Nigerian Research and Education Network, which previously supported broadband connectivity for tertiary institutions through a World Bank-funded project.
He explained that while the earlier programme recorded progress in linking universities and other higher institutions, implementation slowed after the initial funding cycle ended, making it 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 across the country,” Alausa said.
According to the minister, 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 strengthen nationwide coverage.
He said the government is working to ensure schools are deliberately integrated into the expanding digital network as broadband cables are laid and telecom towers deployed nationwide.
“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 added.
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 strengthen coordination across the entire education system.
The minister also announced the creation of two technical working groups to accelerate implementation. One group will focus on improving connectivity for tertiary institutions, while the other will address internet access for foundational and secondary schools.
Alausa expressed confidence that the first phase of the programme would begin to deliver tangible improvements within the next three months.
He said improved internet access would enable teachers and students to access digital learning platforms, global academic resources, and emerging technologies reshaping education systems worldwide.
The minister added that expanded digital infrastructure would also support ongoing reforms aimed at improving the integrity of national examinations through the gradual transition to computer-based testing.
“We plan that within the next two to three years, major examinations such as West African Examinations Council and National Examinations Council will transition fully to Computer-Based Testing, similar to what is currently implemented by Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board,” he said.
Also speaking, Tijani stressed that technology-driven education cannot thrive without strong internet connectivity.
He noted that although Nigeria has about eight international subsea internet cables, the highest number in Africa, the main challenge lies in 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 added that the planned deployment of 3,700 rural telecommunications towers will further improve connectivity in underserved communities, with many installations located close to 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 improved learning outcomes.
The government also stressed that expanding connectivity across Nigeria’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.
