More than 10,000 instructors have been trained in preparation for the nationwide launch of the Smart Education program, according to Minister of Education Prof. Tahir Mamman. The announcement was made during the inauguration of the Digital Resource Center and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), aimed at supporting the rollout of smart education in Nigeria.
The Digital Resource Center, located in the Kado neighborhood of Abuja, is designed to enhance the availability of smart teaching and learning environments for both instructors and students. Prof. Mamman officially commissioned the center, emphasizing its role in preparing educators for the 37 Smart Schools developed by the Federal Government through UBEC across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Prof. Mamman highlighted the government’s commitment to digital technology in education, noting the Tinubu administration’s plans to establish vocational institutions nationwide. He assured that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure the center’s timely upgrade to maintain high-quality service.
Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, stressed the importance of universal education. She noted that the Digital Resource Center is crucial for ensuring that Nigerian children receive the same quality of education as their peers globally. As the head of the Senate Committee on Local Content, she pledged to collaborate with the center to achieve its commendable objectives.
Supporting her views, Senator Lawal Adamu, head of the Senate Committee on Education, lauded UBEC for the establishment of the digital resource center, stating that smart education centers are vital for human advancement.
Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, described the center’s inauguration as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital education efforts. He emphasized that UBEC is dedicated to coordinating innovative approaches to high-quality education, including the creation of the Digital Resource Center to leverage technology for improved learning outcomes.
“The goal is to bridge the gap between conventional and modern learning by providing access to high-quality digital content,” Dr. Bobboyi stated. “We envision a time when every child in Nigeria has access to high-quality education.”
The Digital Resource Center represents a major step towards integrating digital technologies into Nigeria’s educational framework, ensuring that educators and students are equipped for a globalized society. This initiative is part of a broader effort to transform the educational landscape in Nigeria, fostering a more technologically adept and globally competitive generation.
