The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced on Tuesday that the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) has reached a significant milestone of one million subscribers, marking a pivotal moment in enhancing educational access in the country.

In a press statement, UNICEF highlighted the success of the groundbreaking digital learning platform, which was launched to ensure continuous learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The NLP has now become an essential tool for providing quality and uninterrupted education to children across Nigeria.

The NLP is a collaborative effort between UNICEF, the Federal and State Ministries of Education, and key partners, including Microsoft, Airtel, IHS Towers, Sony, Botnar Foundation, and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). It offers over 15,000 curriculum-aligned educational resources, such as interactive lessons, digital textbooks, and self-paced learning modules, catering to students from primary to secondary education levels, as well as teachers and parents.

UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate, emphasized the importance of this milestone: “Reaching one million subscribers on the Nigeria Learning Passport is a testament to our collective commitment to ensuring that every child in Nigeria has access to quality education, regardless of their location or circumstances. This platform is bridging the educational gap and providing opportunities for children to learn and thrive, especially in remote and underserved communities.”

The NLP has been crucial in addressing educational disruptions caused by the pandemic, natural hazards, and attacks on schools, ensuring that children continue to learn in a safe and supportive environment. Its user-friendly interface has made it accessible to learners, and the soon-to-be-launched offline capability will further enhance accessibility for those with limited internet connectivity, promoting inclusivity in education.

Key features of the Nigeria Learning Passport include:

- Comprehensive Curriculum: Covering core subjects such as Mathematics, Science, English, and Social Studies, available in local languages—English, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba.

- Interactive Learning: Engaging learners with videos, quizzes, and interactive activities.

- Free to Use: The platform is free, with data-free usage on an Airtel SIM card.

- Offline Access: Allows students to download content and study without an internet connection.

- Teacher Resources: Providing educators with tools and materials to support effective teaching.

UNICEF acknowledged the invaluable contributions of its partners in making the NLP a success. The organization commended Airtel for providing data services, IHS for supporting data and connectivity, Microsoft for offering the platform's infrastructure, Sony and Botnar for funding support, and GPE for funding the setup, state technical teams, teacher capacity building, and device supply.

UNICEF Nigeria pledged to continue working closely with the Federal and State Ministries of Education and other partners to expand the reach of the NLP and enhance its content to meet the evolving needs of learners. This milestone marks a significant step towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

UNICEF remains dedicated to creating a brighter future for every child through education and innovation.