The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has launched the Digitalization of Public Schools Initiative and commenced the distribution of interactive smart boards to public schools nationwide.
The official flag-off ceremony held at Queen’s College, Lagos, signalled a new phase in the nation’s drive to modernize education and integrate digital learning into classrooms.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Alausa described the initiative as a bold and transformative step toward modernizing Nigeria’s education system in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which promotes technology-driven and inclusive learning. He said the transition from chalkboards to smart boards marks a major shift from traditional teaching to interactive digital classrooms that prepare students for a global, knowledge-based economy.
“We are moving from chalk and blackboards to digital, interactive classrooms. This is not just about equipment; it is a paradigm shift in how we teach and learn — preparing our students for a knowledge economy and a connected global future,” the Minister said.
Dr. Alausa highlighted several complementary federal education projects designed to strengthen the digital learning ecosystem. These include the Nigeria Education Data Initiative (NEDI), the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD), and a $40 million ICT-Dev Project supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) to improve infrastructure and hybrid learning nationwide. He added that through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Ministry is expanding broadband access, enhancing digital literacy, and training teachers to effectively deliver modern education content.
The Minister assured that the government remains committed to building a resilient digital education infrastructure that connects classrooms across urban and rural Nigeria, ensuring that no child is left behind.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Mrs. Aisha Garba, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to integrating technology into classroom learning. She noted that UBEC is already implementing several initiatives that complement the national smart learning drive, including the BESDA-AF tablet distribution, the introduction of a Digital Literacy Curriculum, and the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence in Education Department.
Mrs. Garba described the initiative as a major step toward weaving technology into the fabric of teaching and learning in Nigeria. She commended the Honourable Minister for his visionary leadership and expressed optimism that the programme would help reposition the country’s education system for global competitiveness.
The event marked what officials described as a new era of innovation and inclusion in Nigeria’s education sector. With the launch of the Digitalization of Public Schools Initiative, classrooms across the nation are set to be transformed into smart, interactive spaces that foster creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
According to the Ministry, the smart learning initiative reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping Nigerian students and teachers with 21st-century skills, ensuring that public schools are fully prepared for a digitally empowered future.
