The Federal Government has announced plans to connect all schools nationwide to reliable internet services to strengthen digital learning and expand access to modern educational tools.
The disclosure was made in a statement on Wednesday by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.
Boriowo said the initiative was discussed at a high-level meeting between the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.
Alausa explained that the initiative follows a directive from President Bola Tinubu to expand digital infrastructure across key sectors, including education. He noted that the plan would harness technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to improve teaching and learning in Nigeria.
“The initiative will develop a coordinated framework to ensure connectivity across all levels of education, from foundational and secondary schools to universities and colleges,” Alausa said.
He added that the programme builds on previous efforts by the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), which provided broadband access to universities under a World Bank-funded programme. The earlier programme made progress but slowed after funding ended, prompting the current expanded strategy.
Alausa said the federal government plans to deploy about 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic broadband infrastructure and install 3,700 telecommunications towers, particularly in rural and underserved communities, to ensure schools are deliberately connected.
He noted that connectivity is not limited to fibre alone but also involves towers, satellite systems, and other digital infrastructure needed for reliable internet access.
