Nigeria’s basic education sector has marked a major milestone as the Government of South Korea, through its development agency KOICA, concluded the first phase of a landmark Smart Education Project designed to digitally transform classrooms across the country.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), brought modern learning technology, teacher training, and locally developed educational content to model schools in Kano, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Cross River, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Tackling Deep-Seated Educational Challenges
At the closing ceremony in Abuja, UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, reflected on the state of Nigeria’s basic education system when the project began in 2021.
She noted that the country was grappling with more than 10.1 million out-of-school children, 70% of enrolled pupils lacking foundational skills, and over 60% of public primary school teachers without basic digital literacy.
“These statistics were not just problems; they were opportunities to bridge the digital divide and empower teachers to drive lasting change,” Garba said.
Key Achievements of Phase One
In partnership with KOICA and other strategic collaborators, UBEC achieved notable milestones:
- Development of Nigeria’s first Smart Education Master Plan
- Training of over 300 teachers and school leaders
- Establishment of six world-class content development studios
- Creation of nearly 4,000 digital learning resources in Mathematics and Science
KOICA’s direct support to six model smart schools has indirectly impacted over 8,000 learners across 21 states through teacher exchanges, shared resources, and digital content dissemination.
A Shift to Student-Centred Learning
Country Director of KOICA, Eunsub Kim, explained that the project reimagines teaching methods while retaining Nigeria’s national curriculum.
“The approach shifts classrooms from teacher-centred to student-centred learning. Students from the smart schools are already performing better in mathematics and science than their peers in conventional schools,” he said, in remarks delivered by KOICA’s Manager, David Nkwa.
Strengthening Nigeria–Korea Ties
Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, praised the long-standing relationship between both nations.
“We share the vision that nations should relate respectfully, in a mutually supportive manner, with the understanding that humanity is one and shared prosperity is possible,” Bagudu said.
He also stressed that KOICA’s support extends well beyond the capital, aligning with Nigeria’s federal structure in which education is a shared responsibility between all tiers of government.
Bagudu expressed hope that the Smart Education Project could serve as a proof of concept for scaling tech-based learning nationwide.
Building for the Future
Professor Dae Joon Hwang, Project Manager for the UBION Consortium, underscored the importance of sustainability, urging stronger community and parental involvement.
Phase two, which will expand the model to 37 smart schools nationwide, is expected to commence soon.
Project Coordinator Oluwatosin Odedele detailed how each pilot school received a state-of-the-art Content Development Studio (CDS), where trained teachers produce locally relevant educational content—including animations—uploaded to a learning management system for interactive classroom use.
Beyond infrastructure, teachers have benefited from international training trips to South Korea, as well as local capacity-building workshops.
From Chalkboards to Interactive Classrooms
The project’s comparative assessments show a clear trend: pupils in smart schools outperform their peers in Mathematics and Basic Science.
“Instead of solely relying on chalkboards, pupils can now learn with interactive, engaging materials,” Odedele said.
With South Korea’s continued support and Nigeria’s commitment to expanding the model, the Smart Education Project is poised to become a cornerstone for 21st-century learning—one that blends technology, local creativity, and inclusive access to give Nigerian children a better start in life.