Nigeria is embarking on a bold digital transformation in education as part of sweeping reforms aimed at modernising classrooms and equipping young Nigerians with the skills needed for global competitiveness, Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, has announced.
Speaking at a media parley in Abuja, Alausa described the integration of technology into education as “no longer optional but essential” if Nigeria is to keep pace with global trends. He said the government is embedding digital tools across schools to enhance teaching, widen access, and empower both learners and educators.
“Education is changing across the world, and Nigeria must not be left behind. From Artificial Intelligence (AI) to digital literacy, we are embedding technology into every aspect of learning. This is the big leap we must take if we want to build an education system that is modern, inclusive, and globally competitive,” the minister declared.
As part of the initiative, solar-powered infrastructure is being rolled out to schools, while teachers are receiving digital skills training and tablets to aid instruction. Local tech firms are also being engaged to create AI-driven learning platforms, e-libraries, and interactive tools.
One of the flagship projects, the €38 million Blueprint ICT Development (Blueprint-ICT-Dev) Project, funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), will upgrade ICT infrastructure in 10 universities, including the University of Calabar, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Ibadan, FUT Minna, and the University of Maiduguri. The project is expected to boost hybrid learning, strengthen data systems, and expand digital education to underserved communities.
The minister also announced significant TETFund-backed investments: N70 billion to upgrade 18 medical schools and N40 billion to establish six world-class simulation labs for medical training.
In addition, an AI in Education Task Force has been created to oversee the training of 6,000 senior secondary school teachers in AI literacy across the 36 states and the FCT. The government is also preparing to launch the Nigeria Education Data Initiative (NEDI/NERDI), which will integrate datasets from JAMB, WAEC, UBEC, NECO, and NYSC into a live education dashboard by mid-2025.
Alausa said reforms will also tackle deep-rooted sectoral issues, including streamlining Nigeria’s overloaded curriculum, currently spanning 76 WAEC and 80 JAMB subjects. He called for stricter enforcement of the Exam Malpractice Act, insisting that both students and lecturers involved in fraud face sanctions.
On funding, the minister assured that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) will cover all institutional fees, while universities will soon adopt a unified and transparent fee structure to eliminate arbitrary charges.
“Digital education, standardised fees, transparent governance, and curriculum reform are all part of one bold agenda. Since assuming office, our focus has been on building a system that is modern, accountable, and sustainable,” he said.
He urged journalists to play their watchdog role by ensuring accountability across institutions and commended TETFund for its role in financing transformative projects.
“The future of Nigeria lies in how well we educate our children today. By making this big leap into digital education, we are laying the foundation for a society that is innovative, productive, and competitive on the world stage,” Alausa emphasised.