On Monday, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) announced a new initiative to revolutionise basic education in Nigeria, using cutting-edge digital technology.
UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja before the 2025 International Conference on Smart Education and Digital Literacy (ICSE), which kicked off the same day.
The four-day conference, organised in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is held from May 6 to 9 in Abuja, with the theme “Empowering African Smart Education Through Emerging Technologies.”
Garba said the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide in public schools across Nigeria, noting that although less than half of the country’s public primary schools currently have access to digital tools, UBEC is committed to changing that narrative.
She revealed that Nigeria has already established 36 smart schools, with an additional one in the Federal Capital Territory, fully equipped with advanced learning technologies and teachers trained in digital teaching methods.
According to her, UBEC’s vision is to ensure no child is left behind, whether in rural, semi-urban, or urban areas.
She explained that the Commission is shifting its focus away from traditional infrastructure projects and toward innovative education systems that ensure every child has access to quality learning, regardless of their location.
Garba pointed out that countries like Rwanda have successfully integrated artificial intelligence and other digital tools into their classrooms, and Nigeria is keen to follow suit.
“Our Smart School programme is the foundation for this transformation, and we are determined to scale it up nationwide,” she said.
At the briefing, KOICA Country Director Kim Eunsub reaffirmed South Korea’s continued support for Nigeria’s transition to innovative education through the KOICA-UBEC Smart School Initiative.
He noted that the partnership has already delivered modern school facilities nationwide, teacher training, and digital learning resources.
Kim also announced that the second phase of the KOICA-UBEC Smart School Initiative will commence in 2026, with a focus on expanding access and deepening the digital literacy of both students and teachers.
The ICSE 2025 conference brings together education experts, policymakers, and technology stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to share strategies for harnessing emerging technologies to achieve better educational outcomes.
Leave feedback about this