Chalkboards finally get their retirement letter as FG rolls out smart boards in basic schools
By Uji A. Iliyasu, Abuja
The Federal Government has officially told chalk and dusters to pack their bags as it launches a digital learning revolution in Nigeria’s public basic schools.
Speaking in Lagos, Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, unveiled the Digitalisation of Public Schools Initiative and flagged off the distribution of Interactive Smart Boards nationwide, a move he said will “turn classrooms from chalk zones to tech zones.”
“This isn’t just a gadget giveaway; it’s Nigeria declaring we’re ready for the future of learning,” Alausa said. “Every child, from Lagos to Lokoja, deserves modern, tech-driven education — not just a chalkboard sermon.”
The initiative, powered by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which puts education at the heart of national progress.
Alausa explained that classrooms will now feature AI, coding, and STEMM learning, giving pupils skills that could make robots jealous.
“Smart boards will let teachers use videos, digital books, and even touch-sensitive lessons. Pupils won’t just listen, they’ll poke, swipe, and explore.”
UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Dr Aisha Garba, called the launch “a milestone in Nigeria’s education story,” promising that no school, teacher, or pupil would be left behind in the global digital race.
She highlighted achievements like 1,000 smart boards distributed, 140 talking computers for visually impaired learners, 250 desktops for out-of-school youth, and millions of textbooks rolled out nationwide.
Under Dr Garba’s watch, UBEC has also trained teachers, built digital learning centres, and even created a Department for Data and Artificial Intelligence, proving education can, in fact, go digital without crashing.
“This is just the beginning,” she said. “We’re not only transforming classrooms; we’re rebooting education itself.”