A student-built Artificial Intelligence application designed to transform teaching, learning and communication in schools emerged as the unexpected highlight of the Federal Government’s education inspection tour in Kano on Monday, drawing immediate attention from the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.

Impressed by the innovation, Dr Alausa directed officials of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to engage with the student developer and explore ways of supporting the application, which is designed to monitor attendance, track assignments, improve communication between schools and parents, and provide learners with access to educational materials from home.

The directive came during a tour of key education projects across Kano State, where the minister inspected schools and learning facilities aimed at boosting digital education, tackling the out-of-school children crisis and improving infrastructure.

The student’s innovation provided a practical demonstration of the Federal Government’s push for digital learning and technology-driven education under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

During the visit, Alausa commissioned a newly upgraded digital e-library at Federal Government College (FGC), Kano, equipped with nearly 80 computer workstations, solar power, air conditioning and modern learning facilities. He disclosed that the current administration inherited 36 abandoned e-library projects across Unity Colleges, adding that 16 have now been rehabilitated through interventions by UBEC.

The minister also inspected a bilingual school in Ungogo designed to integrate Almajiri and other vulnerable children into formal education.

He said the facility had reached about 90 per cent completion and would begin admitting learners in September, while plans were underway to open additional bilingual schools as part of efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children.

According to him, more than one million out-of-school children have been returned to classrooms within the past 24 months through interventions under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative.

At the centre of public attention during the visit, however, was the student innovator whose AI-powered solution offered a glimpse into the kind of technology-driven future the government hopes to build within Nigeria’s education system.

The minister said the Federal Government would continue to encourage creativity, innovation and digital skills among learners, stressing that education reforms must prepare students for a rapidly evolving, knowledge-based economy.

He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the controversial land swap initiative at FGC Kano, insisting that the policy would provide resources for improved classrooms, hostels and other infrastructure needed to enhance learning conditions.

Alausa maintained that all education policies and reforms being pursued by the ministry were aimed at expanding access, improving quality and equipping Nigerian children with skills needed to compete globally.