In a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s education sector, the UK-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme has engaged media stakeholders to advance educational development across the country.
At a media parley held in Abuja on Tuesday, PLANE officials introduced the programme’s objectives, achievements, and future plans to journalists, emphasizing the need for media collaboration in advocating for improved learning outcomes.
PLANE, a seven-year initiative funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), was launched in 2021 to support the Nigerian government in tackling systemic education challenges.
The programme has so far improved education delivery through policy enhancement and capacity building, reaching over one million learners and training 10,000 teachers across Kaduna, Kano, and Jigawa states.
Speaking at the event, Ian Attfield, Senior Education Adviser at the British High Commission, highlighted the crucial role of media in driving accountability in Nigeria’s education sector.
“PLANE is a major UK investment, partnering with Nigeria to improve foundational reading and numeracy skills to address the learning crisis. By working together with the media, a powerful ally in promoting transparency and accountability, Nigeria and the UK can be held jointly accountable to ensure all girls and boys can access quality, inclusive education,” Attfield said.
The Deputy National Team Lead of PLANE, Sam Achimugu, stressed the media’s role in amplifying advocacy for education reforms and ensuring inclusivity in learning.
“PLANE looks to the media as vital partners in mobilising collective action. In the states where we work, we have recorded progress in addressing systemic challenges and promoting innovative learning solutions. However, for improved outcomes in education nationally, there needs to be continuous advocacy on access and quality,” Achimugu stated.
The parley also aligned with the 2025 International Day of Education’s theme, “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation.” Attfield noted the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, particularly for marginalized communities and persons with disabilities. He commended the Federal Ministry of Education for launching eLearn, a digital learning platform supported by PLANE, which provides curriculum-aligned resources with modern accessibility features.
Media professionals in attendance pledged to leverage their platforms to highlight education successes and challenges, promote transparency, and drive policy conversations.
PLANE operates across several states, including Borno, Yobe, and regions in the south-east and south-west, focusing on foundational skills development, education in emergencies, and community-centered initiatives. Its interventions are supported by organizations such as DAI, FHI360, UNICEF, and Save the Children.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
