Nigeria Launches Nationwide School Internet Connectivity

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a major initiative to connect all schools nationwide to reliable internet services. This program, directed by President Bola Tinubu, aims to strengthen digital learning, expand access to modern educational tools, and integrate Artificial Intelligence into the education system. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, are leading the effort. The plan involves deploying approximately 90,000 kilometers of fibre optic broadband infrastructure and installing about 3,700 telecommunications towers, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The initiative builds on previous efforts by the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), which provided broadband access to tertiary institutions with World Bank Group funding. The government expects visible improvements within three months, enabling students and teachers to access digital learning platforms and global knowledge resources. It will also support the gradual transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for national examinations like those conducted by the West African Examinations Council and the National Examinations Council, similar to the system used by the Nigeria===Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.