Stories by Godfrey AKON
The Nigeria Learning Passport, NLP, an initiative of the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, has reached a total of 500,000 registered users.
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms Cristian Munduate, said the achievement underscores the platform’s commitment to offering tailored educational pathways that cater to a diverse range of users – including students, teachers, parents, and caregivers.
Munduate’s remarks were contained in a statement released by the fund, in which she noted that the goal of UNICEF in collaboration with the education ministry is to reach 1.5 million NLP users by the end of 2024.
According to her, with the unwavering support from UNICEF partners, it is well on its way towards achieving the landmark.
“Reaching half a million users is not just a number; it reflects the impact we are making in ensuring every child and young individual in Nigeria gets the opportunity to learn, regardless of their circumstance,” she said.
The statement further noted that “Digital learning has emerged as the future of education, and by investing in the Nigeria Learning Passport, Nigeria is paving the way for children and young adults to thrive in a digital economy.
“The NLP offers interactive simulations and cutting-edge courses in fields such as computer and agricultural science, empowering the younger generation with the requisite skills for the future.”
The statement quoted a fourteen-year-old student at the Government Senior College Agege, Lagos, Bolade Ayomide, as saying that “l stay on top of my class work at home or school, and I like that they are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the NLP platform.
“I was impressed at the selection of courses available on the NLP platform- everything from biology to mathematics to entrepreneurial and secretarial studies.”
UNICEF noted that teachers, too, benefit immensely from the platform, accessing invaluable resources for professional development, ensuring that they are adequately equipped to provide dynamic, interactive learning experiences. Parents and caregivers are not left out, as they can support their child’s learning trajectory, starting from an early age with the platform’s playful learning courses.
The Nigeria Learning Passport was launched in March 2022 by the Federal Ministry of Education and UNICEF, and powered by Microsoft and now operates actively across 18 states.
It has over 15,000 curriculum-aligned resources available in English, Hausa, lgbo, and Yoruba, the platform boasts a versatile offering.
