The Federal Ministry of Education has launched a nationwide digital learning initiative, Inspire Live(s), aimed at delivering real-time online classes to millions of Nigerian students amid ongoing school closures caused by insecurity.

In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry described the programme as a “groundbreaking” step aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The initiative, it said, is designed to “democratise access to quality education” despite chronic challenges including decades of underfunding, teacher shortages, and disruptions across the sector.

According to the ministry, Inspire Live(s) will provide interactive, teacher-led virtual lessons directly to learners regardless of location, helping to remove long-standing barriers to education.

Programme Structure and Rollout

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, confirmed that the digital classes have already begun, with a phased rollout planned to cover pupils from Primary 1 to Senior Secondary School 3.

“The rollout is underway,” Alausa said, noting that the Inspire platform currently offers lessons for Junior and Senior Secondary students. Classes run Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and are delivered by “certified master teachers using Cisco Webex.”

The ministry clarified that registration will be conducted exclusively through school principals, who must enrol their students via the designated Inspire support channels. Contrary to public assumptions, the programme is open to both public and private schools.

Available Subjects

For Junior Secondary School students, subjects include:

• Basic Science
• Mathematics
• English Language
• ICT
• Agricultural Science
• Basic Technology
• Civic Education
• French
• Physical Education
• Religious Studies
• History
• Business Studies

For Senior Secondary School students, lessons are available in:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• English Language
• Mathematics
• Economics
• Geography
• Agricultural Science
• Technical Drawing / Catering Craft
• Civic Education
• Automobile Mechanics

States Required to Lead Next Phase

The ministry has instructed all state education commissioners to appoint a State Focal Officer to coordinate implementation and ensure both public and private school principals are properly briefed on the programme.

States are also mandated to ensure that participating schools have “basic ICT facilities and internet connectivity,” a requirement that highlights longstanding inequalities in digital infrastructure across the country.

Background: School Closures Due to Insecurity

Although the Federal Government did not directly link the launch of Inspire Live(s) to recent attacks on schools, insecurity has forced many northern states to shut down educational institutions.

Nigeria has witnessed a resurgence of large-scale school abductions, prompting renewed global concern about the safety of education in the country.

Recently in Niger State, armed men kidnapped more than 300 pupils and 12 staff members from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwarra LGA. While about 50 children escaped, the majority remain missing.

In another incident in Kebbi State, gunmen attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, killing the vice principal and abducting 25 schoolgirls.