Airtel and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have furthered their commitment to digital education in Nigeria with a successful demonstration of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) initiative at St. Agnes Primary School, Maryland, Lagos.
The collaboration between the telecommunications giant and UNICEF is designed to revolutionise education in the country by providing digital learning tools to students, teachers, and parents.
The visit saw Airtel Africa’s Group CEO, Sunil Taldar, join senior executives from both Airtel Nigeria and UNICEF to witness the positive impact of the NLP in the school. The programme, which has already equipped over 1,200 schools with digital learning devices and internet connectivity, is part of Airtel’s ongoing Reimagine Education Programme aimed at bridging the educational divide in Nigeria.
Speaking after the live demonstration of the NLP platform, Mr. Taldar expressed his admiration for the progress being made in the school.
“What I saw today at St. Agnes Primary School was impressive. We are encouraged by the progress made through our partnership with UNICEF. Our goal remains to ensure that more children in Nigeria and beyond have access to digital learning tools that prepare them for the future,” he said.
The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital education programme developed by UNICEF in partnership with the Nigerian government and Microsoft. The initiative provides high-quality educational content to schools, allowing for remote and digital learning that is accessible to a wider range of students across the country. It aims to increase education opportunities in both urban and rural areas, particularly where traditional classroom resources may be limited.
Airtel Nigeria’s CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, also reiterated the company’s dedication to empowering young Nigerians through technology.
“At Airtel Nigeria, we are deeply committed to empowering young minds through technology. Our visit to St. Agnes Primary School underscores our dedication to bridging the digital divide and ensuring access to quality education,” he stated.
Celine Lafoucriere, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Lagos, highlighted the significance of partnerships in improving education in Nigeria. “Education is a fundamental right, and digital learning has become a key enabler in bridging educational gaps,” she said.
This visit to St. Agnes Primary School follows a similar engagement at Oremeji Primary School, Ajegunle, Lagos, in 2023. The NLP has already made significant strides in enhancing digital literacy and providing a valuable resource for schools and educators across Nigeria.
Airtel’s collaboration with UNICEF aligns with its broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, which focuses on improving education, digital inclusion, and sustainable development across Africa. The Reimagine Education Programme has become an essential tool for ensuring that children, particularly in underserved areas, have access to the necessary resources to succeed in the digital age.
With over 1,200 schools already equipped with the NLP, Airtel and UNICEF are committed to expanding the programme further, providing more students with the opportunity to benefit from digital learning.
Airtel Nigeria, a subsidiary of Airtel Africa Plc, is one of the leading telecommunications and mobile money service providers in Africa. The company is dedicated to enhancing customer experiences across the continent, offering mobile voice, data, and financial services. Through initiatives such as the Reimagine Education Programme, Airtel is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital education in Africa.
