UNICEF Boosts Nigeria’s Smart School Initiative with Solar Power and Digital Tools

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s Smart School Initiative by rolling out wide-ranging interventions aimed at improving learning outcomes and bridging the digital divide by 2030.

In a briefing note made available to The Sun, UNICEF disclosed that its support includes infrastructure development, teacher training, and the deployment of innovative digital learning tools in schools across the country.

The initiative targets children and young people in both formal and non-formal education systems, with particular focus on underserved and hard-to-reach communities to ensure equitable access to quality education.

UNICEF highlighted the provision of digital infrastructure and reliable connectivity as central to the programme, noting partnerships with organisations such as IHS and Airtel to install internet facilities, routers, and alternative power solutions in selected schools.

Citing Enugu State as an example, the agency noted that solar-powered systems have been deployed to ensure uninterrupted access to digital learning platforms, describing renewable energy as a practical solution to persistent electricity challenges in schools.