(DDM) — The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a new national initiative to provide teachers across the country with free data access and subsidised mobile devices, marking a major step toward integrating digital learning in classrooms nationwide.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the initiative, launched by the Federal Ministry of Education, is part of the government’s broader effort to enhance the digital competence of educators and bridge the technology gap affecting teaching standards in public schools.
The programme, which was formally announced on Thursday in Abuja by Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, targets 8,000 teachers in its first phase, covering all six geopolitical zones.
According to the ministry, the pilot phase will run from December 2025 to July 2026, after which the project will be scaled up to reach more teachers across the federation.
Implemented under the Education Public-Private Partnership (ePPP) framework, the initiative is supported technically by the UK-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE), aligning with Nigeria’s National Digital Learning Policy (NDLP).
Speaking during the Ministerial Roundtable on Zero-Rated Data and Devices for Nigerian Teachers, Dr. Alausa described the move as a “transformative step” in the Federal Government’s education reform agenda.
He explained that the initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a technology-driven education system that prioritises digital inclusion, skills development, and innovative learning delivery.
“We know that teachers are not being paid enough, and we’re not fooling ourselves,” Alausa said.
“Giving these teachers devices and expecting them to pay for data is foolhardy. That’s why we’re here today, to create a path for them to access whatever they need without paying anything,” he added.
Under the arrangement, participating teachers will receive mobile learning devices and zero-rated internet access in partnership with major telecommunications companies and internet service providers.
This will allow them to use the Federal Government’s eLearn platform and other accredited digital learning resources free of charge.
The Education Minister emphasised that the programme is not merely a welfare gesture but a strategic investment in human capital development, enabling teachers to become facilitators of 21st-century learning.
He praised PLANE and other private partners for their collaboration, saying such partnerships are essential for sustainability and impact.
In her remarks, Dr. Ronke Soyombo, Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), hailed the initiative as “a milestone in teacher empowerment and digital transformation.”
She said, “The provision of zero-rated, subsidised data bundles is not merely a technical solution; it is a strategic intervention that can accelerate digital inclusion, enhance teacher capacity, and improve learning outcomes nationwide.”
Dr. Soyombo further noted that access to digital tools would enable teachers to integrate technology more effectively into classroom lessons, pursue continuous professional development, and connect to global teaching resources.
As part of the launch, Dr. Alausa inaugurated the Ministerial Implementation Committee on ePPP for Zero Data and Devices, which will oversee the programme’s rollout and ensure accountability.
The committee includes representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), TRCN, major telecom firms, and EdTech platforms.
Their responsibilities include finalising the cost structure for the pilot phase, verifying the list of participating schools and teachers, and conducting an impact assessment to guide the national expansion plan by July 2026.
Education experts and policy analysts have welcomed the initiative as a timely and progressive intervention.
They argue that empowering teachers with connectivity and digital resources will improve lesson delivery, promote innovation, and narrow the learning gap between urban and rural schools.
A senior education consultant who spoke to DDM noted that “without empowered teachers, no education reform can succeed. This initiative directly targets the core of our classroom system.”
The programme also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030.
Observers say the initiative could significantly reduce teachers’ financial burdens, encourage the adoption of digital teaching methods, and foster a modern, interactive learning culture in public schools.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the government’s resolve to sustain the programme beyond the pilot phase.
“This initiative is not just about technology,” he said. “It’s about dignity, access, and opportunity, giving our teachers the tools they need to transform the future of education in Nigeria.”
