By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
IBADAN — Oyo State has officially joined the league of digitally driven educational ecosystems with the launch of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP), becoming the 26th state in the country to adopt the innovative e-learning platform.
The epoch-making event, held on Wednesday at the Local Government Hall within the State Secretariat, Ibadan, drew key stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, educators, and students.
Speaking at the event, the UNICEF Lagos Chief of Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, lauded the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde for its proactive stance on human capital development.
She noted that the launch comes at an auspicious time, closely following the state’s recruitment of 5,000 new teachers who are now deployed in classrooms and primed to leverage digital tools.
“Today’s launch is not a new promise. Rather, it is an important step forward in fulfilling your government’s commitment to providing quality education for every child in Oyo State,” Lafoucriere stated.
She disclosed that approximately 2.4 million children and teachers across Nigeria are already utilizing the platform. Developed in the wake of COVID-19 learning disruptions, the NLP offers thousands of curriculum-aligned lessons in mathematics, English, and science, accessible via phones and tablets both online and offline—with data costs entirely covered by Airtel.
The initiative boasts a robust multi-sectoral partnership: Microsoft engineered the technology, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) provided financial backing, IHS Towers strengthened connectivity infrastructure, and TECNO supplied hardware devices.
Lafoucriere outlined three critical priorities for the state to maximize the platform’s impact: prioritizing rural and underserved communities (especially girls), sustaining continuous teacher training, and rigorously tracking usage and learning outcomes beyond mere registration figures.
She stressed that these efforts are vital for children in remote areas like Saki and Iseyin.
Corroborating UNICEF’s stance, the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Segun Olayiwola, emphasized that the state’s education sector must evolve to meet 21st-century realities.
Represented at the occasion, Olayiwola noted that the platform transcends traditional classroom boundaries, enabling continuous learning at home and bridging geographical divides.
“A child should not be disadvantaged simply because of where he or she lives,” the Commissioner remarked. He urged teachers, school administrators, and students to take absolute ownership of the initiative, warning that the true measure of success lies in active utilization rather than the glamour of the launch ceremony.
The Oyo State Government reaffirmed its dedication to sustaining digital inclusion, ensuring that marginalized and vulnerable learners are carried along as the pacesetter state deepens its digital education footprint.
