In a significant step towards modernising education in Nigeria’s capital, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has deepened its resolve to integrate digital tools into public school classrooms. On June 27, 2025, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, reiterated this commitment at a ceremony in Abuja marking the donation of 600 tablet computers by MTN to twelve public secondary schools.
A strategic investment in digital inclusion by FCTA
Speaking at the handover, Dr Mahmoud, represented by Special Assistant on Technical Matters Michael Bawa, described the tablet rollout as “more than technology distribution”—a genuine investment in students’ potential, equitable access, and national development. She emphasised the initiative’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises quality education and digital empowerment across Nigeria.
This gesture, she noted, comes at a critical time when FCTA is actively bolstering its education infrastructure, especially in technical and science-based learning. The administration continues to create an enabling environment for teaching and learning in public schools, believed to be vital in shaping the nation’s future.
MTN’s expansive role in education
MTN Nigeria, a longstanding advocate for corporate social responsibility, has broadened its educational outreach with the tablet donation. MTN Board Chairman Dr Ernest Ndukwe explained that the 600 tablets to FCT schools are part of a full-scale rollout of 4,600 devices to public secondary schools across Nigeria. He underscored the company’s belief that “everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life,” reaffirming their shared dedication to technology access for all children.
Closing the digital divide
Representing the FCT Education Secretariat, Mandate Secretary Dr Danlami Hayyo, through Director of Science and Technology Dr Kolawole Olabashola, praised MTN’s continued efforts to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide. He expressed confidence that this initiative would help local schools achieve global competitiveness in education.
The beneficiaries: 12 schools at the forefront
The 600 tablets are being distributed among twelve FCT public secondary schools, strategically selected to catalyse digital transformation across the region:
- Government Day Secondary School, Dutse-Alhaji
- Government Secondary School, Mpape
- Government Girls Secondary School, Dukpa
- Government Secondary School, Gwagwalada
- Government Science Secondary School, Tunga-Maje
- Government Secondary School, Pegi (Abuja @30)
- Government Secondary School, Kwali
- Government Secondary School, Airport
- Government Secondary School, Garki
- Government Secondary School, Gosa
- Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa
- Government Day Secondary School, Wuse II
Beyond hardware: preparing for a connected future
More than mere gadgets, the tablets signal a new era of interactive learning. Dr Mahmoud urged both students and educators to harness these tools for deeper discovery, creativity, and enhanced academic performance. Teachers are encouraged to integrate digital resources into daily instruction, laying the groundwork for more engaging and adaptive learning experiences.
National context and future outlook
MTN’s initiative mirrors broader national and private-sector efforts to expand digital education in Nigeria. Parallel programs—such as the rollout of SIM cards with restricted access for safe internet use and the distribution of hybrid tablets via the SabiHub platform—underscore the country’s expanding embrace of technology in schools.
At the national level, initiatives like the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, launched by the Federal Ministry of Communications, aim to train three million Nigerians in high-demand tech skills by 2027. Supported by both device financing and hybrid learning models, this complements the groundwork laid by initiatives such as MTN’s tablet donation.
Why it matters
This FCT-level intervention is more than a gesture; it’s a strategic move toward educational equity. By ensuring students in Abuja have access to tablets, the FCTA is democratizing opportunities typically available to well-resourced private school students. The move sends a message: Nigeria is serious about equipping its youth for the demands of the 21st-century digital economy.
Looking ahead
The FCTA-MTN partnership signals a promising shift toward technology-enhanced public education. However, sustaining impact will depend on:
- Teacher training – Accompanying tablets with professional training ensures educators can harness digital tools effectively.
- Curricular integration – Embedding tablets into teaching norms transforms classrooms, making content dynamic and interactive.
- Infrastructure support – Reliable electricity and internet access are essential for digital learning to thrive.
- Ongoing evaluation – Measuring academic impact and user engagement will guide refinements and inform future scale-up.
Final thoughts
By reaffirming its commitment to digital education, the FCTA is not just handing out devices—it is sowing seeds of innovation, inclusion, and ambition. Through partnerships like MTN’s and aligned national initiatives, Nigeria is building a foundation for an educated, tech-savvy generation capable of shaping its own future.
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