The Federal Government has commissioned the Katsina State Smart Secondary School, Radda, as part of efforts to advance digital learning and strengthen ongoing nationwide education reforms.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, said technology-driven education remains critical to building a future-ready and globally competitive workforce in Nigeria.
Alausa described the Smart School project as more than just infrastructure, noting that it represents innovation, opportunity, and a strategic investment in human capital development. According to him, the institution is designed to equip students with relevant digital and academic skills needed to thrive in a knowledge-based global economy.
The Minister commended the Katsina State Government’s “Build Your Future Blueprint,” stating that it aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and broader education sector reforms.
Highlighting recent achievements, Alausa disclosed that over ₦106 billion in Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants have been accessed by states. He added that more than 10,000 classrooms have been renovated nationwide, alongside the training of hundreds of thousands of teachers and the distribution of millions of textbooks.
He further revealed that reforms are ongoing in areas such as curriculum development, expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and digital initiatives, including the introduction of the Learner Identification Number and a cloud-based Annual School Census to improve data-driven planning.
On skills development, the Minister noted that over 160,000 youths are currently undergoing training across more than 1,200 TVET centres nationwide, with over one million applications recorded, indicating increasing demand for skills-based education.
In his remarks, Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, described the Smart School as a deliberate investment in the future of children in the state, particularly those from underserved communities.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, commended the initiative and urged stakeholders to maximise the opportunities it presents.
The Federal Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to partnering with states and relevant stakeholders to expand access to quality, inclusive, and technology-driven education, positioning the Katsina Smart Secondary School as a model for modern learning across Nigeria.
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