Three years after the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) was introduced through a major technical partnership with Microsoft, the digital learning platform is evolving faster than many schools can keep up with. Yet, some institutions are pushing far ahead, and one of them is Okun-Ajah Community Senior Secondary School in Eti-Osa, Lagos.
At the school, the NLP is not just in use; it is being integrated with other artificial intelligence tools to enhance learning for more than 700 students. Teachers and administrators say the platform has reshaped their approach to teaching and expanded students’ exposure to digital education.
Principal Oyedele Bridget said the initiative has “opened the school to the world,” particularly under the Passport to Earn programme, which rewards students with certifications after completing courses on the platform. She noted, however, that despite the impressive uptake, limited access to digital devices continues to slow progress.
Her concerns were reinforced by ICT teacher Lawal Segun, who revealed that he often sacrifices his own time and even uses his personal device to help students who do not have phones or computers to engage with the digital resources or complete online assignments.
Another teacher, Lateef Adebowale, widely known among students as “AI,” described himself as one of the early implementers of the Passport to Earn initiative. He said the programme has sparked a “seismic shift in learning culture,” equipping students with new digital competencies and making learning more interactive.
UNICEF Education Specialist, Babagana Aminu, who visited the school, commended its commitment to embracing the NLP and other digital innovations. He expressed optimism that such early adoption would strengthen digital literacy and improve learning outcomes, noting his particular interest in how the platform is transforming classroom participation.
Students say the change is already palpable. SS3 student Ishiali Faith said she has been “awed” by the platform’s interactive features and how they broaden self-learning opportunities.
For SS1 student, Ali-Eze Moses, access remains limited. He currently logs in once a week using his mother’s phone for about 30 minutes, but hopes for more frequent access so he can complete additional courses and earn his digital passport.
Under the Passport to Earn model, students must complete designated courses before earning their certificates, a structure many say makes learning more purposeful and engaging.
