Nigeria's Inspire Live(s) Aims to Ensure No Student is Left Behind Nationwide

The Nigerian Federal Government has launched the Inspire Live(s) Online Real-Time Classes Initiative, a nationwide digital learning program aimed at expanding access to quality education for students across the country. The initiative, unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Education, seeks to address persistent challenges such as teacher shortages, learning disruptions, and unequal access to educational resources. By streaming live, interactive lessons directly to learners, the program aims to "democratise access to quality education and ensure that no child is left behind regardless of location or circumstance," according to a ministry statement.

The program is part of President Bola Tinubu's "Renewed Hope Agenda," which emphasizes equitable learning opportunities. It leverages technology to deliver lessons via Cisco Webex, with certified master teachers conducting classes for Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) students. Current offerings include subjects like Basic Science, Mathematics, English Language, ICT, and Agricultural Science for JSS learners, while SSS students can access Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Economics. The ministry has outlined plans to expand the initiative to cover all classes from Primary 1 to Senior Secondary 3.

Implementation began with daily live classes from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, streamed to students nationwide. To ensure broad participation, the ministry directed state Commissioners for Education to nominate State Focal Officers, distribute program details to schools, and ensure designated institutions are equipped with basic ICT infrastructure and internet connectivity . Registration is managed exclusively by school principals through the Inspire platform, and the program is open to both public and private schools .

The initiative builds on prior government efforts to digitize education, including the 2025 National Educational Technology Strategy and the eLearn platform, which provides curriculum-aligned digital resources. Minister of Education Tunji Alausa highlighted the importance of addressing infrastructural gaps, noting that the success of Inspire Live(s) hinges on states providing reliable internet access and ICT tools .

While the program is positioned as a transformative step, its effectiveness will depend on execution. Challenges such as inconsistent internet connectivity in rural areas and the need for teacher training in digital tools remain unresolved. However, the ministry's emphasis on collaboration with state authorities and its focus on scalable solutions suggest a commitment to overcoming these hurdles.