UNICEF, on Wednesday, launched an e-learning platform, known as the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP), in Imo to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state.
UNICEF said the platform was rolled out in 2022 and had already enrolled over 2.3 million Nigerians, whose education was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the organisation, the pandemic affected 1.6 billion learners globally.
Speaking at the event in Owerri, the UNICEF’s Chief of Enugu Field Office, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, said that NLP was developed through a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education, UNICEF, Airtel, IHS Towers, TECNO and Microsoft with support from the Global Partnership for Education.
Chiluwe, represented by the UNICEF Education Specialist, Enugu Field Office, Mr Believe Eke, said the platform was introduced as a response to the widespread disruption of education caused by the pandemic.
She also explained that the launch in Imo brought the total coverage to 25 states across the country.
She also said that with the number of learners already enrolled nationwide, the NLP had demonstrated strong impact at scale.
According to Chiluwe, the NLP’s is a flexible online and offline functionality, being supported by zero-rated access for Airtel users.
“It ensures that learners, including those in hard-to-reach communities, can access quality education content,” she said.
She affirmed UNICEF’s commitment to ensuring that all the content on the NLP was aligned with the Nigerian curriculum.
“The platform is also adapted to local contexts, including language accessibility for children and teachers, who are being supported through structured training to effectively integrate digital tools into classroom practice.
“Today’s launch of the Nigeria Learning Passport represents a significant milestone in the partnership between UNICEF and Imo.
“By leveraging this platform, we aim to contribute to reducing the number of out-of-school children, while strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy outcomes across the state.
“UNICEF’s engagement in Imo extends beyond the deployment of a digital platform; it is focused on building a sustainable and inclusive learning ecosystem,“ Chiluwe said.
She commended the Imo Government for its commitment to education and pledged to support the state in scaling access to the NLP, strengthening its oversight and committing to its continuity.
The Team Lead, NLP and Facilitator for the training, Mr Philip Mamman, described the platform as “user friendly”.
He said the facility would be available on App Store and can be downloaded using internet-enabled devices.
He urged internet savvy educators and students to embrace the NLP and impart the knowledge to other teachers and students in their various schools.
