FIC Report (Imo State) – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in Imo State, making Imo state the 25th in the country to embrace the digital inventive learning platform targeted at widening access to quality education through technology.
The launch which was held in Owerri, Imo state attracted relevant stakeholders, comprising government officials, private sector representatives, development partners, teachers, students, as well as members of the media. The event underscored ongoing efforts to strengthen digital education and advance learning achievements across the country.
The Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe in her address, described the occasion as a significant milestone for Imo State and its education sector, noting that the Nigeria Learning Passport is the product of a strategic partnership involving the Federal Government of Nigeria, UNICEF, and Microsoft, with support from the Global Partnership for Education.
She disclosed that the platform was initially expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic to bridge disruptions in learning brought about by school closures. Since then, according to her, it has developed into a nationwide educational tool that keeps providing learners access to quality educational resources regardless of their locations.
Mrs. Chiluwe further explained that the national rollout of the platform commenced in March 2022 and has recorded remarkable growth, with about 2.4 million learners currently enrolled across the country. She praised the Imo State Government for exhibiting strong leadership and commitment to leveraging technology to improve educational delivery.
She also pointed to the state’s Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA 2022–2026) as testaments of the government’s resolve to integrate digital literacy into the educational system and promote the use of information and communication technology in teaching and learning.
The Chief of UNICEF field office pointed out that one of the major strengths of the Nigeria Learning Passport is its ability to function both online and offline, making it accessible to learners in remote communities. This feature, according to her, is crucial in ensuring that educational opportunities are not bridged by geographical barriers.
She highlighted measures put in place to minimize the cost of access, which includes zero-rated usage for Airtel subscribers, allowing users to access the platform without bearing data charges.
Mrs. Chiluwe referenced the contributions of several partners, including Microsoft, Airtel, the Global Partnership for Education, IHS Towers, and TECNO, for supporting efforts to expand digital learning opportunities.
Outside the deployment of the platform, UNICEF reiterated its dedication to helping Imo State build a sustainable, inclusive, and effective digital learning ecosystem, promising to work closely with the state to ensure that learning materials align with the Nigerian curriculum, local realities and languages, and are supported by structured teacher-training programmes.
She outlined key areas of collaboration between UNICEF and the state government to be expanding school connectivity, increasing access to digital devices, strengthening accountability systems to ensure resources reach intended beneficiaries, and extending technical support services across all local government areas.
The ceremony also featured participation from teachers and learners both physically and virtually, showcasing the hybrid learning approach that the Nigeria Learning Passport seeks to promote.
UNICEF described the introduction of the platform in Imo as a significant step towards reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving literacy outcomes among learners, reaffirming It’s commitment to support the state government in ensuring that digital learning initiatives benefit all children, particularly girls and those living in rural and underserved communities.
Also speaking at the event, the Team Lead of the Nigeria Learning Passport and facilitator of the training session, Mr. Philip Mamman, stated that the initiative was developed to ensure that Nigeria’s education system is not left behind in the ongoing global digital evolution,
describing the platform to be simple and user-friendly. He explained that it can be downloaded from mobile application stores and accessed through internet-enabled devices.
Mr. Mamman further disclosed that teachers with digital skills were selected from schools across Imo State to participate in the training programme. They are expected to transfer the knowledge acquired to their colleagues, who will in turn equip students with the necessary skills to effectively utilize the platform for learning purposes.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would significantly improve teaching and learning across the state while helping to prepare learners and educators for the demands of a technology-driven future.
AKUSHIE, CHIOMA MARK HELEN.
HOC FIC., Owerri
11/06/2026
