From Chalkboards to Clicks: Gombe, UNICEF, Microsoft Drive Digital Learning Revolution
From Chalkboards to Clicks: Gombe, UNICEF, Microsoft Drive Digital Learning Revolution
By Auwal Ahmad, Gombe
The Gombe State Government, in partnership with UNICEF and Microsoft, has launched the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP), a digital education platform aimed at expanding access to learning and improving academic outcomes across the state.
The initiative, unveiled at a formal ceremony in Gombe, is designed to provide children—particularly those in remote and underserved communities—with access to quality educational resources through technology.
Representing Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the head of the civil service, Prof. Mu’azu Shehu, said the program underscores the administration’s commitment to modernising education and extending learning beyond traditional classroom settings.
He explained that the platform would allow students to access lessons through digital channels, including mobile devices, with plans to introduce offline functionality for areas with limited internet access.
According to him, the initiative has the capacity to bridge long-standing educational gaps, noting that children in rural communities can now learn at the same level as their urban counterparts.
“Imagine a girl in Nafada accessing the same standard of lessons as her peers in the Gombe metropolis using just a mobile phone. That is the opportunity this platform brings,” he said.
Also speaking was the chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafiq, who was presented by the Nigeria Learning Passport Coordinator, Dr Harold Kpojime, and described the initiative as a major milestone in transforming education delivery in the state.
He noted that the platform was developed through a collaboration between UNICEF and Microsoft in response to the global disruption to education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected billions of learners worldwide.
Dr Kpojime disclosed that initial implementation efforts in Gombe include the provision of 100 tablets and the training of 30 technical personnel in digital literacy, blended learning and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
He added that with Gombe joining the initiative, the platform is now operational in 24 states nationwide, offering both online and offline learning solutions.
As part of the rollout, he said plans are underway to train up to 1,000 teachers across the state, while at least 20 schools will be connected to support the program’s expansion.
Kpojime commended the state government for prioritising education through reforms, such as the declaration of a state of emergency in the sector, the development of a long-term education plan, and targeted efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
Development partners, including IHS Towers, TECNO, Microsoft, and the Global Partnership for Education, alongside UNICEF, are supporting the programme.
Mrs. Lami Garkwa, UNICEF’s focal person at the Gombe State Ministry of Education, stated that the launch represents a significant milestone in the state’s education journey.
“This is more than a digital tool; it opens new possibilities for every child. It ensures that learning continues, regardless of location or circumstance,” she said.
Garkwa revealed that more than 16,000 lessons aligned with Nigeria’s national curriculum have been integrated into the platform, giving students free access to high-quality educational content.
She added that the initiative is also aimed at narrowing the digital divide, with thousands of devices already distributed nationwide and ongoing support from partners to provide data connectivity.
On teacher development, she noted that several educators have already been trained in digital teaching methods, equipping them to effectively guide learners in a technology-driven environment.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr Abubakar Hassan, said the state had made steady progress in implementing the initiative, with selected teachers undergoing intensive training to cascade knowledge across schools.
He added that the establishment of the state’s Information Technology Development Agency would further strengthen digital transformation in both education and governance.
Hassan described the Nigeria Learning Passport as a forward-looking solution that will redefine teaching and learning by integrating technology into everyday classroom practice.
