Expert identifies UNICEEF’s NLP As Spring Board To AI In Benue 

An expert in Information technology, Michael Agaba, has identified that the coming of a UNICEF initiative, the Nigeria Learning Passports (NLP), a digital learning platform that provides learning access for students, teachers and parents, done in partnership with the Federal Government, has set the stage for the smooth adaptation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and technology in teaching and learning in Benue State schools.

This initiative, he said, has also helped the state set up AI digital learning platforms with high quality digital education aimed at improving the quality of education for school children and also enhance their capacity to learn even without being in the confine of schools.

Agaba, who works in the Directorate of Knowledge Management, in the Educational Management Information System (EMIS) Unit of the Benue State Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, disclosed this while speaking on the 2025 International Day of Education, with the theme: “AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation”.

He observed that the coming of the NLP, “a brainchild of the UNICEF, and a platform that helps learners to learn online and teachers also to get more knowledge, one is left with no other option but to commend the global organisation.

“And in that regard UNICEF has donated alot of materials to improve teaching and learning with the aid of AI and technology in our schools.

“In 2023 alone they gave us 660 Tablets to register both teachers and students on the NLP. The devices were distributed through the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB to schools and they have been using it to register on NLP.

“Again in 2024, UNICEF was able to give us additional 50 laptops, this was after they gave us 30 in 2023. The laptops were meant for school-to-school network connectivity to help those other schools to also register students and teachers.

“And they also put measures in place to help in giving those schools data for Internet access for one whole year to enable them register the students.

“They are also training our teachers in the zones of the state. Our teachers have been trained in Otukpo, Vandeikya and Logo LGAs all with the aim of having our teachers have the knowledge of the NLP.

“Also Benue SUBEB has established Smart Schools in Makurdi where the use of AI and technology is key. And to take it farther, late last year there was a flag off of digital training and skills in schools for teachers and students alike in the three Senatorial Districts of the state. The participating teachers were trained on simple IA tools.

“So the collaboration is great and it is yielding tremendous benefits. In fact, UNICEF has done so much for us in Benue state to help us deploy AI and technology in teaching and learning in the state”.

The Executive Chairman of Benue SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba also lauded UNICEF’s invaluable contributions to education and child development in the State. While commending the support of the Benue state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia for his unwavering commitment to Basic Education.

Dr. Adagba thanked UNICEF for its support in the training of teachers, as well as the provision of iPads, routers, and power banks among others to Basic Schools to enhance teaching and learning in schools.