• Partnership gives access to Digital School platforms, tools, and expertise
• Supports plan for nationwide digital learning rollout by 2027
  

Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand digital education opportunities for young Nigerians. The agreement was signed on Wednesday, November 12, in Dubai between Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the UAE’s Digital School initiative.

NIGERIA, UAE DEEPEN TIES TO BRIDGE DIGITAL SKILLS GAP AND EMPOWER YOUNG NIGERIANS

The Federal Government has signed a landmark partnership with the United Arab Emirates to expand access to digital education and practical skills for millions of young Nigerians.

The Honourable… pic.twitter.com/HfGYDh0T7G

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) November 13, 2025

The partnership is intended to improve access to digital and practical skills and to equip young people for an increasingly technology-driven global economy. Nigerian Youth Development Minister Ayodele Olawande said the agreement goes beyond a symbolic signing. “It is a shared commitment to empower young Nigerians with tools, knowledge, and opportunities to shape their future,” he said.

The Digital School initiative offers online courses in science, mathematics, computer science and languages, with interactive content adapted to different learning levels. It primarily targets disadvantaged youth. Under the partnership, Nigeria will gain access to the program’s platforms, learning content and technical expertise to expand digital learning nationwide.

A Push for Digital Transformation

 The agreement supports Nigeria’s broader effort to modernize its education system. The government aims to introduce digital learning across all public schools by 2027. So far, more than 60,000 tablets have been distributed in Adamawa, Oyo and Katsina states, with another 30,000 expected soon.

The devices allow teachers to use digital textbooks, multimedia material and interactive exercises in the classroom. The Ministry also plans to digitize the national school census starting in 2026 to monitor attendance and student performance in real time and to support better planning.

The initiative comes as Nigeria continues to struggle with high school dropout rates. According to the National Education Management Information System, nearly 24 million students leave school before reaching secondary level. UNICEF estimates that more than 7.4 million boys are currently out of school.

While the new partnership is expected to expand digital access and help keep more students engaged, significant challenges remain. These include limited internet coverage in parts of rural Nigeria, inadequate infrastructure in some schools and the need to strengthen teacher training in digital tools.

Samira Njoya