From Gombe to Ondo, state governments put literacy and numeracy at the centre of their plans, backed by devices in classrooms, teacher training at scale, and growing national attention of the EIDU programme.

In the first half of 2026, foundational learning climbed the agenda in states across Nigeria. From Gombe and Akwa Ibom to Taraba and Ondo, governments placed early literacy and numeracy at the centre of their education plans and backed the shift in practical ways: new devices in classrooms, master trainers preparing thousands of teachers, and reform commitments led from the top. Nine states now work with EIDU, and the number keeps growing.

States setting the pace

Gombe offers a clear example. The state's partnership reached more than 11,000 pupils in its early phase, with the government targeting expansion to over 40,000. Prof. Aishatu Umar Maigari, Gombe's Commissioner for Education, has spoken publicly about the programme's use of digital tools and structured lesson guides to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy.

Other states are moving on the same footing, with education leaders setting the direction: Prof. Ubong Essien Umoh, Commissioner for Education in Akwa Ibom; Dr. Augustina Godwin, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Taraba; and Dr. Abike Bayo-Ilawole, Permanent Secretary at Ondo State's Universal Basic Education Board. The pattern is consistent: government sets the priorities, and EIDU supports delivery with teacher training, AI-enabled learning tools and real-time data.

Earlier reporting from Adamawa showed what that looks like a year in. A THISDAY feature documented a programme reaching about 13,000 learners across 36 schools in Yola North and Yola South, with the state expanding on the basis of results. The honest caveat holds there and everywhere: 36 schools is a fraction of any state's total, and the real test is sustained, measurable gains over time.

Growing national attention

The work drew steady coverage through the first half of the year, across television, radio and the national press, including Arise TV, Trust TV, Radio Nigeria, The Guardian, THISDAY, Punch, Vanguard and Daily Trust. Most of it focused on the substance: how states are using digital tools and teacher training to tackle learning poverty, and what they plan next.

The attention reached beyond the states where EIDU currently operates. In a THISDAY column on 13 June 2026, Prof. Okey Ikechukwu wrote about EIDU's AI-enabled teaching guides, personalised learning tools and real-time analytics, a sign that the approach is being discussed by voices well outside its immediate footprint. By mid-2026, EIDU was increasingly recognised across Nigeria as a technology and implementation partner supporting governments to improve foundational learning.

Still growing

Across Nigeria, EIDU's work now reaches around 140,000 learners in some 1,400 schools, and more states are joining. The direction is set by governments; EIDU's part is to support it with strong implementation, evidence and the tools teachers use every day.