Airtel, UNICEF To Connect 100,000 Children To Digital Education In Nigeria

Telecoms company Airtel Africa, in collaboration with UNICEF announced on Wednesday that it would launch a digital learning programme to link 100,000 kids in Nigeria.

Segun Ogunsanya, group chief executive officer of Airtel Africa, announced in a statement that 100,000 kids would be connected over the course of the following five years via the Learning Passport, an online tool.

The Learning Passport is a digital learning platform that offers ongoing access to high-quality education.

It is mobile, online, and offline capable.

Ogunsanya stated that as part of the five-year, US$57 million deal with UNICEF that was struck in October 2021,100 schools would be connected annually in the nation.

According to the CEO, the alliance aims to give at least one million disadvantaged children, many of whom live in remote and difficult-to-reach regions, access to school.

He said that 13 of its 14 nation operations in Africa were affected by impoverished youngsters.

He added that Airtel Africa's support for the programme was motivated by a sense of obligation to and dedication to the continent's future.

“This partnership is designed to provide zero-rated access for both students and teachers to educational websites and other resources.

"This will bridge the digital divide between the rich and poor and enable African children to catch up with the rest of the world after the disruptions caused by COVID-19.

"We firmly believe that children are the future and education is the best guarantee for ensuring that this future is in safe and knowledgeable hands,” he said.

Ogunsanya disclosed that in addition to their collaboration with UNICEF, Airtel Africa is putting the final touches on plans to adopt primary schools in Nigeria and other African nations.

He explained that this would involve updating the school's physical plant, as well as providing furniture, uniforms, books, and other instructional materials. It would also entail training the instructors.

The schools would also need to be connected to its 4G network, Ogunsanya continued.