In a significant move to bridge the digital divide within the state’s massive public education system, the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has received an additional 50 Airtel 5G Connect Routers from UNICEF.
This latest contribution aims to accelerate the integration of technology-driven learning and provide students with the high-speed connectivity required to compete in a global economy.
Expanding the Digital Footprint in Public Schools
The presentation, held Thursday at the Ministry’s headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, marks the second phase of a strategic intervention. This follows a previous donation of 150 routers, bringing the total effort to empower schools that meet specific criteria: possessing at least 15 functional computing devices but lacking reliable internet access.
By targeting schools with existing hardware but no connectivity, the initiative ensures that the state’s technological investments are fully utilized. The high-speed 5G connectivity provided by Airtel is expected to facilitate seamless access to virtual classrooms, online research tools, and modern instructional resources for both teachers and students.
A Commitment to Equitable Resource Distribution
The Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, expressed deep gratitude for UNICEF’s unwavering partnership. He emphasized that the ministry is focused on ensuring that no student is left behind as the world shifts toward a digital-first landscape.
“The government is committing significant resources to education, and we need to reciprocate this gesture by ensuring that its efforts are not in vain,” Alli-Balogun stated. “Guide and safeguard these routers as if they were yours. I appeal to the district representatives to remain committed, make sacrifices, and strive to achieve more for our students.”
The Commissioner noted that these routers would be strategically distributed to schools that did not benefit from the initial batch, ensuring a fair and equitable spread of digital resources across all six educational districts in Lagos.
Fostering Long-Term Educational Transformation
Earlier in the event, the Permanent Secretary, Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, welcomed representatives from Bharti Airtel Limited and UNICEF, acknowledging their consistency in supporting the state’s educational growth. She further called for an extended partnership to continue the transformation of the sector.
To ensure the technology is used effectively, Airtel staff were on-site to facilitate the immediate registration of SIM cards and devices. They also provided hands-on training to principals and teachers on the maintenance and optimal deployment of the 5G routers. This technical support is viewed as a critical component in ensuring the longevity of the hardware and the sustained quality of digital instruction in the beneficiary schools.
Share this
