The Federal Ministry of Education has officially launched the Digitalisation of Public Schools Initiative and commenced the distribution of Interactive Smart Boards to public schools across Nigeria.
The event, held at Queen’s College, Lagos, marks a major step in modernising the nation’s education system in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for inclusive, technology-driven learning.
According to the Ministry’s Director of Press, Boriowo Folasade, the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to providing globally competitive education for Nigerian children.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, described the project as a bold declaration that Nigeria is ready to embrace the future of learning.
“The shift from chalkboards to smart boards represents a transition from traditional to dynamic, interactive, and technology-enabled classrooms,” Alausa said. “Every child, regardless of background or location, will now have access to modern, quality education that prepares them for a knowledge-driven global economy.”
Alausa also highlighted key federal projects complementing the transformation, including the Nigeria Education Data Initiative (NEDI) for data-driven planning, the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) for certificate authentication, and the $40 million Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), aimed at strengthening ICT infrastructure in 10 universities.
He added that, through UBEC, the Ministry is extending the benefits of digital education to basic and secondary schools via broadband connectivity, teacher training, and provision of digital tools.
In her remarks, Executive Secretary of UBEC, Mrs. Aisha Garba, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to using technology as an enabler of inclusive and equitable education.
She explained that the Interactive Smart Boards will transform classroom experiences by making lessons more visual, participatory, and engaging, while teachers integrate multimedia content for improved learning outcomes.
Garba outlined ongoing UBEC interventions such as the distribution of over 60,000 tablets to teachers under the BESDA-AF project, collaboration with NITDA to develop a Digital Literacy Curriculum, and the establishment of Digital Learning Centres nationwide.
She added that UBEC plans to establish a Department for Data and AI in Education and upgrade its Digital Resource Centre in Abuja into a national hub for content development and teacher support.
Lagos State SUBEB Chairman, Dr. Hakeem Babatunde Shittu, commended the Federal Ministry and UBEC for their partnership with state governments, describing the initiative as a landmark step towards bridging Nigeria’s digital divide.
He noted that Lagos State’s Innovate Eko STEAM Programme provides a strong foundation for collaboration in strengthening digital learning infrastructure across the country.
Principal of Queen’s College, Lagos, Dr. (Mrs.) Obabori, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and partners for their vision, applauding teachers and students for embracing the digital transition.
The Digitalisation of Public Schools Initiative, the Ministry said, represents more than a policy it is the beginning of a new era in Nigerian education, one that empowers students, supports teachers, and strengthens institutions to drive sustainable national development.
