The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in Imo State as part of efforts to expand access to education and reduce the number of out-of-school children across the state.
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The digital learning platform was officially unveiled in Owerri on Wednesday, with UNICEF describing it as a major step towards providing inclusive and flexible learning opportunities for children whose education has been disrupted.
According to the organisation, the Nigeria Learning Passport was introduced in 2022 in response to the educational challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected an estimated 1.6 billion learners worldwide.
Since its introduction, the platform has enrolled more than 2.3 million learners across Nigeria, helping students continue their education through digital learning tools and resources.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief of UNICEF’s Enugu Field Office, Juliet Chiluwe, said the initiative was developed through a partnership involving the Federal Ministry of Education, UNICEF, Airtel, IHS Towers, TECNO, and Microsoft, with support from the Global Partnership for Education.
She explained that the platform was designed to address learning disruptions caused by the pandemic while also providing a sustainable solution for improving access to quality education.
Chiluwe noted that the launch in Imo State has increased the platform’s reach to 25 states across the country, reflecting its growing impact on education delivery nationwide.
“The Nigeria Learning Passport has continued to demonstrate its effectiveness, with millions of learners already benefiting from the platform across the country,” she said.
She further highlighted the platform’s flexibility, noting that it supports both online and offline learning. Airtel users can also access the platform through zero-rated services, allowing learners to use educational content without data-related barriers.
According to UNICEF, all learning materials available on the platform are aligned with the Nigerian educational curriculum to ensure consistency and relevance for students and teachers.
Chiluwe commended the Imo State Government for its commitment to improving educational outcomes and pledged UNICEF’s continued support in expanding access to the platform, strengthening monitoring systems, and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
Also speaking at the event, the Nigeria Learning Passport Team Lead and training facilitator, Philip Mamman, described the platform as easy to use and accessible to learners and educators.
He explained that the application can be downloaded through app stores and accessed on internet-enabled devices, making it convenient for users across different learning environments.
Mamman encouraged teachers, school administrators, and students to embrace the platform and help promote digital learning within their schools and communities.
He noted that increased adoption of the platform would contribute significantly to improving learning outcomes, particularly among vulnerable children and those with limited access to traditional classroom education.
The launch forms part of broader efforts by UNICEF and its partners to leverage technology in addressing educational challenges and ensuring that every child has access to quality learning opportunities regardless of location or circumstance
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