According to the ministry, the move will “democratise access to quality education” despite years of underfunding, teacher shortages, and recurring disruptions in the sector.
The Federal Ministry of Education has unveiled a sweeping nationwide digital learning programme, Inspire Live(s), which will stream real-time online classes to millions of schoolchildren across Nigeria.
According to the ministry, the move will “democratise access to quality education” despite years of underfunding, teacher shortages, and recurring disruptions in the sector.
In a statement issued Tuesday and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry described the initiative as a “groundbreaking” intervention aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the ministry, the platform is designed to dismantle long-standing barriers to learning by providing interactive, teacher-led lessons directly to students regardless of where they live.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, confirmed that the programme has already commenced, with a phased expansion planned to cover pupils from Primary 1 through Senior Secondary School 3.
“The rollout is underway,” Alausa said, noting that the Inspire platform currently hosts classes for Junior and Senior Secondary students. The ministry said these classes run Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and are delivered by “certified master teachers using Cisco Webex.”
The statement noted that registration for participation will be handled strictly by school principals through the Inspire support channels.
Contrary to assumptions that the scheme is restricted to public schools, the ministry clarified that the platform is open to private institutions as well.
Under the arrangement, Junior Secondary School students can access subjects such as Basic Science, Mathematics, English Language, ICT, Agricultural Science, Basic Technology, Civic Education, French, Physical Education, Religious Studies, History, and Business Studies.
For SSS students, available subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English Language, Mathematics, Economics, Geography, Agricultural Science, Technical Drawing/Catering Craft, Civic Education, and Automobile Mechanics.
But the ministry’s directive places the next phase of responsibility on state governments.
According to Boriowo, all state education commissioners have been directed to nominate a State Focal Officer to coordinate the implementation and ensure that both public and private school principals receive full programme details.
States are also expected to guarantee that selected schools are equipped with “basic ICT facilities and internet connectivity”, a requirement that could expose wide gaps in infrastructure across Nigeria’s struggling education landscape.
Although the Federal Government did not link the initiative to recent mass abductions of pupils and school staff, it should be noted that several northern states have closed schools due to insecurity.
Recent mass abductions in schools have involved hundreds of students and teachers, sparking global concern and raising fears about the safety of education in the country.
For instance, in Niger State, armed men abducted over 300 pupils and 12 staff members from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwarra LGA last week. At least 50 children managed to escape, but most remain missing.
Earlier in Kebbi State, gunmen attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, killing the vice principal and abducting 25 schoolgirls.
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