The Federal Government has called on state governments to accelerate the adoption of digital learning platforms in schools as part of efforts to improve education quality and address the growing learning crisis affecting millions of children across Nigeria.
The appeal was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, during the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Roundtable Convening Meeting on Digital Resources for Achieving Learning Outcomes held in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Alausa disclosed that approximately 42 million Nigerian children at the basic education level are currently experiencing learning poverty, a situation he described as a major threat to the country's human capital development and future economic growth.
The minister explained that learning poverty goes beyond school enrolment, noting that many children are unable to read and understand simple texts appropriate for their age despite attending school.
According to him, integrating digital learning tools into classrooms will help improve teaching quality, expand access to educational resources and enhance learning outcomes for pupils across the country.
Alausa urged state governments to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education, UBEC and development partners to deploy technology-driven solutions capable of transforming basic education.
He stressed that digital education should not be viewed as a luxury but as a necessity in preparing Nigerian children for a rapidly evolving global economy where technology and digital skills play a central role.
The minister also emphasized the need for increased investment in digital infrastructure, teacher training and internet connectivity to ensure that schools, particularly those in rural communities, are not left behind in the ongoing digital transformation of the education sector.
Education stakeholders at the roundtable noted that technology has become an essential tool for improving access to quality education, especially in underserved communities where shortages of teachers and learning materials continue to hinder academic performance.
They also called for stronger collaboration between federal and state governments, private sector organizations and international partners to provide schools with modern digital learning resources and capacity-building programmes for teachers.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing policies that promote digital innovation in education while encouraging states to prioritize investments that will improve literacy, numeracy and overall learning outcomes.
Analysts believe that embracing digital education could significantly reduce learning poverty, strengthen Nigeria's education system and equip millions of young people with the skills needed to compete in the digital economy.
As governments continue to pursue education reforms, experts say sustained funding, effective implementation and equitable access to technology will be critical to ensuring that every Nigerian child has the opportunity to receive quality basic education.