Nigeria records major milestone in digital education with 21 smart schools operational
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has announced that Nigeria has made significant strides in digital transformation within basic education, with 21 Smart Schools now operational across the country.
Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the official closing ceremony of the $10 million Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)–Nigeria Smart Education Project. She added that preparations were underway to commence academic activities in the remaining 16 of the 37 Smart Schools established—one in each state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The KOICA–Nigeria Smart Education Project, launched in 2021 following the signing of a Record of Discussion between UBEC and KOICA on 26 October of that year, concluded on 11 August 2025. The initiative aimed to enhance the quality of education in Nigeria by leveraging technology and digital resources.
Under the scheme, six pilot Smart Schools, supported by the Korean government, were equipped with state-of-the-art Content Development Studios (CDS) to enable teachers to create practical, real-world digital content for learners.
Reflecting on the journey, Garba noted that when the project began, Nigeria faced stark challenges: over 10.1 million school-age children out of school, 70% of those enrolled lacking foundational learning skills, and more than 60% of public primary school teachers without basic digital literacy.
“Today, we are not only closing a project,” she said, “but celebrating a transformational journey—one that has redefined basic education through technology, innovative teaching, and inclusive learning.”
She commended the Korean government for its support, highlighting that the collaboration had enabled Nigeria to develop its first Smart Education Masterplan, train over 300 teachers and school leaders, establish six world-class Content Development Studios, and create nearly 4,000 digital learning contents in Mathematics and Science.
Garba further revealed that, in addition to KOICA’s intervention in six schools, UBEC independently established 37 Model Smart Schools. The results, she said, had reached over 8,000 learners in 21 states where Smart Schools are fully operational.
“These are more than numbers,” she stated. “They are lives touched, futures reshaped, and proof that our public schools can compete globally.”
She also noted that reforms under her leadership had removed long-standing bottlenecks that had, for over 20 years, hindered states from accessing matching grants—leading to decades of stalled projects.
“Since these changes, around three million children have been impacted, fund utilisation has exceeded 60%, and we have distributed about 420,009 library materials, over 158,000 Nigerian History books, 740 interactive smart boards, 250 desktop computers for girls’ alternative high schools, and 140 talking computers for learners with special needs,” she said.
Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical) of UBEC, Razaq Akinyemi Olajuwon, in his overview of the project, explained that it aimed to revolutionise education by integrating technology into learning environments, boosting teachers’ ICT skills, and improving access to quality digital teaching materials.
KOICA Nigeria Office Manager, David Nkwa, said the five-year partnership had significantly improved learning outcomes at the basic education level across the country.