“Now I don’t give up”

Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria – In a brightly lit classroom equipped with brand-new computers, a group of girls and boys sit confidently in front of their screens, eyes focused, fingers scrolling, smiles on their faces. For 14-year-old Habiba, this is more than just a digital device – it’s a lifeline to learning.

Just one year ago, Habiba often found herself lost in class. Like many children in conflict-affected Borno State, she struggled to keep up with lessons due to limited support and few learning materials. But everything changed when her school introduced the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) – a digital learning platform developed by UNICEF and the Federal Ministry of Education, made available offline with support from SONY Corporation.

Today, the NLP is already reaching over 81,000 children across Borno State, helping bridge the education gap and offering children like Habiba a renewed chance to thrive.

“Now, I use my mom’s phone or my siblings’ phones to learn on the Nigeria Learning Passport,” Habiba explains. “These days, I don’t have problems with those topics thanks to the Nigeria Learning Passport.”

Confidence in Digital Tools

For many students, this marks their first experience using technology for learning.

“Through the NLP, I’ve learned how to use a computer,” says Habiba. “We didn’t have a computer before, but now we do, and I can register myself on the Nigeria Learning Passport.”

Her confidence has grown – and so has her ambition.

“I want to become a medical doctor,” she adds. “With the Learning Passport, I believe I’ll get better at mathematics. If I understand math, I know I can achieve my dream.”

Habiba’s journey reflects that of many learners across Borno and beyond, who are discovering digital learning tools for the first time. With support from teachers and exposure to devices through school, students are deepening their engagement with learning, while developing foundational digital skills.

Transforming Teaching

Habiba’s teacher, Ahmed, has witnessed the transformation – not just in her, but across the classroom. With access to engaging digital content, he is able to make lessons clearer and more dynamic.

In regions like Borno, where schools often struggle with reliable internet connectivity, the offline Learning Passport is transforming classrooms. Trained teachers are using it to deliver engaging, curriculum-aligned lessons available in English and local languages (Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba). Because it operates without internet or data charges, schools can reliably integrate it into daily teaching. The offline hub captures students’ progress and achievements, providing valuable insights on learning, even without connectivity.

This shift is made possible not just by the technology itself, but by the teachers behind it. To ensure effective use of the NLP – especially offline, UNICEF and the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) are investing heavily in teacher training at scale.  So far, over 70,000 teachers across Nigeria have been trained in digital learning, and this year alone, more than 12,000 teachers in total are expected to be trained specifically on blended learning.

A dedicated teacher training pathway on the NLP supports this process. It helps teachers prepare in advance, take part in focused workshops on blended learning techniques, and follow up with self-paced modules. To ensure lasting impact, teachers’ learning is assessed, and UNICEF works with education partners to plan refresher or additional sessions where needed.

Learning, wherever they are

In a country where over 40% of the population is under 15, early access to digital learning is not just a solution – it’s a necessity. The NLP is now active in 22 States across Nigeria, helping children access learning wherever they are – in school or at home.

“For us, we want to see how we can bridge the gap in learning,” says Tina, UNICEF Education Officer. “One of our goals is to ensure children, in or out of school, have access to education.”

And the work doesn't stop here. UNICEF and the Federal Ministry of Education continue to improve the platform, guided by feedback from learners like Habiba and teachers like Ahmed. The goal is to make the content more relevant, engaging, and supportive of their success.

This progress is also made possible thanks to generous support from SONY Corporation. Their contribution is helping bring digital learning to the last mile – supporting the rollout of offline LP through the provision of essential devices, training for technical teams, and the resources needed to reach the most remote schools. Importantly, SONY’s support is also strengthening teacher capacity. With ongoing investment in training, 6,000 more teachers across Nigeria will be equipped with the skills and tools they need to deliver quality blended learning by the end of 2025.

Habiba is not giving up on her dream – and neither are we. We keep going!

We welcome new partners to join us in expanding access to digital learning across Nigeria - contact us to explore how we can work together.