The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Imo State in building an inclusive and sustainable digital learning ecosystem aimed at expanding access to quality education for children across the state.
The global organisation said it would continue to work with partners and government institutions to expand connectivity, increase access to learning devices, strengthen accountability systems, and invest in teacher capacity development to ensure that no child is left behind in the digital education drive.
Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Enugu, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, made the commitment at the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) conference held in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
She said UNICEF, in collaboration with partners including Microsoft, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Airtel, HIS Towers, Tecno, and the Imo State Government, is working to ensure that every child has access to quality and inclusive learning opportunities.
According to her, the Nigeria Learning Passport platform is designed to break barriers to education through its online and offline functionality, as well as zero-rated access for Airtel users, making it accessible to learners in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
“The platform’s online and offline functionality, coupled with zero-rated access for Airtel users, helps to remove barriers for learners including those in underserved communities,” she said.
Mrs. Chiluwe explained that the Nigeria Learning Passport is a joint initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, UNICEF, Microsoft, and the Global Partnership for Education. She noted that since its national rollout in 2022, the platform has expanded to 25 states and enrolled more than 2.5 million learners across the country.
She said the development underscores the potential of digital technology in transforming education delivery and ensuring continuity of learning regardless of location or circumstance.
Commending the Imo State Government, she praised its commitment to education reform and digital transformation, noting that ongoing investments in ICT infrastructure, digital literacy, and connectivity are laying a strong foundation for improved learning outcomes and a more competitive future workforce.
Declaring the event open, Governor Hope Uzodimma, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. B.O.T. Ikegwoha, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to providing sustainable and quality education for citizens of the state.
He described UNICEF as a key partner in child-focused development initiatives and commended the organisation for introducing and supporting digital learning innovations in Nigeria.