….trains Southwest journalists on how to amplify initiative
The Nigeria Learning Passport, NLP, has recorded over two million registered users as of June 3, 2026, with access now extended to 24 states, marking significant progress in bridging learning poverty across the country.
The Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) is an online and offline e-learning platform for basic and secondary school students, launched by the Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with UNICEF with the aim of bridging learning poverty and reaching kids who are out-of-school.
Statistics obtained by our correspondent at a two-day workshop on Media Dialogue on Digital Learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Skills Development for Out-of-School Children show that the initiative, which was established in partnership with Microsoft and Airtel, has become one of Africa’s largest online learning platforms.
To this end, the Osun State Ministry of Education and UNICEF brought together journalists and education stakeholders to deliberate on innovative solutions that can reintegrate OOSC into learning systems through technology-driven platforms.
The media professionals are expected to use their platforms to project the importance of the learning passport and encourage more users across the country.
Speaking during the workshop, which was held in Ede, Osun State, Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, affirmed that the media has a critical role to play in ensuring that all hands are on deck towards making sure that every child is digitally literate and has the requisite skills needed for the application of Artificial Intelligence.
According to her, every child must have access to digital education so as to enable them to cope with modern-day realities.
She said: “Of all the children in Nigeria who actually go to school, only one in four can read properly and do basic math at age 14. Just one in four. And we are only talking about the children who make it to school. There are 10 million more who never get to school at all. And that’s the reality that brings us here today.
“Not a number in a spreadsheet or government reports sitting on someone’s desk. No, these are children. Real children in this country, in your country, who are growing up without the skills they need to get a job, to take care of their families, to take care of themselves, to be part of the economy that is forming around them right now. And that world is changing fast.
“You have heard about artificial intelligence already being everywhere and making sure that businesses are run without people anymore. The children who know how to use this will have a chance. The ones who don’t will be left out.
“Right now, out of school children in Nigeria are the ones being left out. And amongst them, as usual, unfortunately, girls are the furthest behind. And you, my dear media partners, have more power in this than you might think.
“Because when journalists keep coming back to an important story like this, week after week, people start paying attention. Policymakers listen, politicians listen. Every stakeholder listens. That is how things change in this country. A story that does not go away is a story that gets acted upon, she said”
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Osun State Ministry of Education, Mr. Mark Jimoh, confirmed that the learning passport has enhanced academic excellence and improved students’ performance in external examinations.
