The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build more smart schools across Nigeria.

The partnership aims to improve access to quality education and provide students with modern learning facilities. The smart schools are basic educational institutions that incorporate the latest technologies to organise, accommodate and optimise pupils’ learning process.

UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, signed the MoU on behalf of the commission while the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, signed for the board for the implementation of the NCDMB-UBEC Smart Schools Development Initiative (NUSSDI), in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Bobboyi expressed optimism that the collaboration would bring significant improvements to the basic education sector.

“We are looking forward to the establishment of more smart schools. UBEC has already established about 37 smart schools, with each in every state of the federation; some of which have started operating, while others are at advanced stages.

“It is also important that we are not just establishing traditional schools using chalkboards, but smart schools equipped with the latest technology. One of our key responsibilities here is to ensure that we can fully utilise the Digital Resource Centre to train teachers,” he said.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Ogbe, applauded the commission for its commitment to basic education. According to him, the board collaborated with the commission to add value to the sector.

“The content of the MOU contains our joint obligations to establish smart schools in Nigeria in areas with a high rate of out-of-school children and underserved rural communities.

“The initiative is designed to leverage our combined mandate, expertise, and resources to equip smart schools with modern technologies, innovation and teaching methods,” he said.