Minister inaugurates Katsina Smart School, reaffirms FG’s education agenda
By Uji A.Iliyasu Abuja
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to building a globally competitive, future-ready education system with the inauguration of the Katsina State Smart Model Secondary School.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, commissioned the project on Tuesday, describing it as a landmark investment in innovation and human capital.
Alausa said the smart school represents more than infrastructure, calling it a strategic step toward preparing Nigerian students for a technology-driven global economy.
He praised the Katsina State Government’s “Build-Your-Future” blueprint, noting its progress in expanding access, upgrading infrastructure, and strengthening teacher development.
He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and forms part of broader reforms under the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
These reforms focus on improving access, strengthening STEMM and TVET education, promoting inclusivity, and advancing digital governance.
Highlighting achievements, the minister revealed that over ₦106 billion in UBEC matching grants has been accessed by states in the last 18 months. Additional investments include ₦22 billion in teacher development, renovation of more than 10,000 classrooms, training of 978,000 teachers, and distribution of over 7.8 million textbooks nationwide.
He added that a revised primary curriculum is already in use, while a new secondary curriculum will commence next session.
The HOPE Education Programme has also secured funding to enhance access and quality.
On skills development, Alausa disclosed that over 160,000 youths are currently undergoing training in more than 1,200 TVET centres, with over one million applications recorded.
Governor Radda said the project reflects his administration’s belief that quality education is a fundamental duty of government. He pledged to ensure equal access to high standards across all zones in the state.
The minister described the Katsina Smart School as a national model for transformative education and assured continued Federal Government’s support.