The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has unveiled plans for a large-scale integration of digital technology in Nigeria’s basic education sector, in a move aimed at modernising teaching and learning across the country.
UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr Aisha Garba, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing in Abuja, ahead of the 2025 International Conference on Smart Education and Digital Literacy (ICSE 2025), jointly organised by UBEC and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The three-day event, scheduled for 6–9 May in Abuja, is themed ‘Empowering African Smart Education Through Emerging Technologies’, and is expected to serve as a major platform for driving Nigeria’s transition towards tech-enabled learning.
Garba noted that the conference will help position Nigeria alongside other African nations already adopting smart education systems. She cited Rwanda as an example, highlighting its early integration of artificial intelligence in classrooms.
“Nigeria has begun this journey through the establishment of smart schools, with one in each of the 36 states and the FCT,” she said. “These schools are equipped with high-tech infrastructure and skilled teachers, trained to deliver technology-based learning.”
She expressed concern over the limited digital penetration in public schools, noting that fewer than 50 per cent of primary schools in the country currently have access to digital tools. To address this, she said UBEC is shifting focus from traditional infrastructure to technology-based solutions that enhance accessibility and learning outcomes.
“Whether a child is in a rural, semi-urban or urban setting, technology appropriate to that context should enable them to learn effectively. Central to this effort is also the teacher, who must be well equipped,” she added.
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Speaking at the briefing, KOICA Country Director, Kim Eunsub, reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital education transformation through the KOICA Smart School Initiative. He noted that the initiative had already resulted in the construction of model smart schools, teacher training programmes, and the provision of digital learning resources.
Kim described the forthcoming conference as a milestone in deepening collaboration and announced that preparations were under way for the second phase of the smart education project, set to begin in 2026.
Also speaking, UBEC Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Dr Rasaq Akinyemi Olajuwon, highlighted the objectives of the conference, including improving equitable access to quality education, promoting digital pedagogy, and fostering the development of innovative curricula and 21st-century skills.
“We are pleased to welcome 26 distinguished dignitaries, 144 teachers from across Nigeria, and 30 delegates from various African countries who will be participating in the conference,” he stated.
The event is expected to reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and digitally competent basic education system.
