The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to improve basic education across Nigeria with a renewed push to establish Smart Schools, Bilingual Schools and Alternative Schools, while also announcing plans to phase out the long-standing separation of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools (SSS).
The new measures were unveiled as the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, inaugurated the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee in Abuja. The committee has been tasked with ensuring the speedy completion and full operation of education projects nationwide.
Speaking during the inauguration, Alausa said the committee’s performance would be measured by the number of schools that become fully operational and begin delivering quality education to Nigerian children. He described the initiative as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places education at the centre of national development.
The minister explained that the Smart Schools initiative is designed to equip pupils with digital skills needed for the modern economy. He added that Bilingual Schools would promote language inclusion, improve learning outcomes and strengthen national unity, while Alternative Schools are intended to provide flexible access to education for vulnerable groups, especially girls and out-of-school children.
Alausa expressed concern over the large number of UBEC-funded projects that remain abandoned or have yet to commence academic activities. He directed the committee to work with the Universal Basic Education Commission, State Universal Basic Education Boards, state governments and other stakeholders to complete school infrastructure, provide furniture and utilities, deploy teachers, enrol pupils and ensure the schools become fully functional.
The minister also revealed that the Federal Government intends to discontinue the policy separating junior and senior secondary schools. According to him, the existing structure has contributed to overcrowded JSS facilities, underutilised senior secondary schools and rising dropout rates. He said the proposal would be presented at the next National Council on Education meeting as part of wider education reforms.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Folake Davis praised the initiative and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the committee. She also acknowledged the contributions of UBEC, development partners and state governments toward improving access to quality education.
UBEC Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, disclosed that 37 Smart Schools have been established across Nigeria, with 24 already operational. She added that 30 Bilingual Schools are being developed in nine states through a partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, while the Alternative Schools Programme continues to expand opportunities for out-of-school children through flexible learning models.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Chairman Prof. Rashid Adewumi Aderinoye pledged that members would carry out their responsibilities with integrity and transparency to ensure government investments produce fully functional schools that improve learning outcomes across the country.
