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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
Over 2.2 million users have enrolled on the Nigerian online learning platform nationwide as efforts intensified to bridge the country’s learning poverty gap, the Kaduna State Team Lead of the Nigerian Learning Passport (NLP), Philip Mamman, has disclosed
Mamman spoke on the sidelines of this year’s Children’s Day celebration at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Kaduna, where he highlighted the impact of the initiative being implemented by UNICEF in partnership with the Global Partnership for Education and hosted by the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to him, the Nigerian Learning Passport is designed to provide children across the country with access to quality education regardless of their location.
“The Nigerian Learning Passport is an online learning platform that tries to close the learning poverty gap, especially around literacy and numeracy.
“It allows every Nigerian child, whether in rural or urban areas, to access quality education,” he said.
He explained that the platform could be accessed through Android phones, iOS devices, laptops and desktop computers by downloading the application from the Play Store and registering with an email address.
Mamman noted that the initiative was launched in Abuja on March 24, 2022, by the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, through the then Minister of State for Education.
He added that 24 states have so far launched the programme, with Gombe State becoming the latest to join in April.
Describing it as the largest online learning platform in Africa, Mamman said enrollment continues to rise nationwide.
“At the moment, we have about 2,278,000 users across Nigeria and the enrollment is still ongoing,” he said.
To address challenges of internet access in remote communities, he disclosed that offline hubs are being introduced to allow learners access educational content without internet connectivity.
“We know there are communities without internet access. The offline hub allows learners in such areas to use the platform without the internet,” he explained, adding that Kaduna State is expected to benefit from the initiative soon.
He further revealed that about 70,000 teachers across Nigeria have been trained on the use of the platform since its launch, while UNICEF is also promoting blended learning that combines classroom teaching with digital tools, including artificial intelligence and generative AI.
Mamman said the programme aims to expand to more than 30 states and the FCT in the near future to improve access to education, particularly for out-of-school children.
Also speaking at the event, a Child Protection Specialist with UNICEF in Kaduna, Dr. Wilfred Mamah, said Nigeria has made significant progress in child rights legislation but continues to face major implementation challenges, particularly in protecting children affected by insecurity, poverty and lack of access to education.
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He described Children’s Day as a time for reflection on both the promises made to children and the failures in fulfilling them.
“Nigeria is doing well in terms of legislation. In almost all the states, the Child Rights Law has been passed.
“It is a revolutionary law that recognises that children have rights and dignity,” he said.
According to him, insecurity continues to deny many children access to education and safety.
“As we speak today, some children are still in the bush because of terrorism and insecurity. This is a day to celebrate children, but also to speak to the conscience of adults and leaders that we are not fully keeping the promises we made to them,” he added.
Mamah said UNICEF continues to support governments across Nigeria in areas such as health, immunisation, birth registration, nutrition, education and child protection.
He expressed concern over increasing cases of malnutrition among children, noting that the current economic situation has worsened the condition of many families.
The UNICEF official also disclosed that efforts are ongoing to integrate western education into informal learning systems in Kaduna to ensure more children benefit from formal education opportunities.
On child justice reforms, he said UNICEF is supporting the Kaduna State Government to implement child-friendly justice systems that prioritise rehabilitation, therapy and skills acquisition for children in conflict with the law instead of treating them like adult criminals.
Mamah further revealed that UNICEF is providing mental health and psychosocial support for children traumatised by violence and insecurity, especially victims of attacks on schools and communities.
“These children are often traumatised. We are working to ensure they receive support and still have the opportunity to continue their education,” he said.
He reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to working with governments and stakeholders to improve the welfare, protection and education of children across the country.
The event themed “every child has the right to play,” was organised by Du Maries Productions and supported by AFIT, as a part of efforts to strengthen civil-military relations and promote community engagement.
