The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund, or UNICEF, has introduced the Nigeria Learning Passport, or NLP, in Osun State in an effort to make education more appealing to the state’s youth.
The NLP, according to UNICEF, is a digital learning platform designed to provide children with access to quality education, regardless of their location.
Speaking at the launching held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium, Uniosun in Osogbo, UNICEF representative Babagana Aminu described the initiative as a significant collaboration between UNICEF and Osun State in the education sector.
While disclosing that Osun is the 21st state to join the global movement of reimagining education through the NLP, he said the Learning Passport was created globally by UNICEF and Microsoft during the COVID-19 pandemic when 1.6 billion learners were unable to access education.
“Since 2022, the project has enrolled 1,478,984 students. The Learning Passport is available for free online, on mobile, and offline devices. Osun is the 21st state to officially launch the Nigeria Learning Platform,” he said.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by the Head of Service, Samuel Aina, assured UNICEF of his administration’s commitment to taking advantage of the platform to access education by children in the state.
“This is a platform that enables continuous access to education for children, youth, and teachers around the world. The passport project drives improved learning outcomes through high-quality, portable enlightenment to support their entry into other opportunity pathways, including formal education,” he added.
Earlier, the the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Muritala Jimoh, said, “The Nigeria Learning Passport is another giant stride in Osun education sectoral achievement.
According to him, Osun State is now opened to and embraces development partners and donor agencies; a paradigm shifts from the hitherto self-style approach of hostility to corporate assistance.
