The Federal Government has described the newly established Smart Secondary School in Katsina State as a strategic investment aimed at preparing Nigerian students for a digital and knowledge-driven global economy.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the Smart School initiative goes beyond physical infrastructure, positioning it as a hub for innovation, opportunity, and workforce development.
According to him, the institution is designed to equip students with the relevant skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
He commended the Katsina State Government’s “Build Your Future Blueprint,” noting that it aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative.
Highlighting achievements in the education sector, the Minister disclosed that over ₦106 billion in Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants have been accessed by states.
He added that the intervention has led to the renovation of more than 10,000 classrooms, the training of hundreds of thousands of teachers, and the distribution of millions of textbooks across the country.
Dr. Alausa also pointed to ongoing reforms, including curriculum upgrades, expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and the introduction of digital tools such as the Learner Identification Number and a cloud-based Annual School Census aimed at improving data-driven planning.
On skills acquisition, he revealed that over 160,000 youths are currently undergoing training in more than 1,200 TVET centres nationwide, with over one million applications recorded, an indication of growing interest in vocational education.
In his remarks, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda described the Smart School project as a deliberate investment in the future of children in the state, especially 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 its opportunities.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with state governments and development partners to expand access to quality, inclusive, and technology-driven education, positioning the Katsina Smart Secondary School as a model for modern learning in Nigeria.
