By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Federal Government has announced its intention to phase out traditional chalkboards in Nigerian schools by 2027, as part of a sweeping overhaul of the education sector to embrace digital learning.
In a statement delivered at an education‑sector roundtable in Abuja, Education Minister Tunji Alausa revealed that every public classroom in Nigeria is expected to shift to interactive smart boards over the next 24 months.
“Our goal is that by 2027, every school in Nigeria will have a smart board. It is how we can deliver high‑quality education to every child,” he said.
The transition forms part of the broader Digital Classrooms, Renewed Future initiative launched earlier this month, which includes the distribution of over 60,000 tablets to students in states such as Adamawa, Oyo and Katsina under the BESDA collaboration with AWS, with a further 30,000 units slated for rollout.
Officials say the move is designed to reduce dropout rates, bridge Nigeria’s digital divide and prepare students for a global economy driven by data, AI and ICT.
According to the Minister, annual school censuses will be fully digitised from 2026, underscoring the government’s push for evidence‑based education reforms.
However, the directive has sparked concerns from some corners. Critics argue that many state schools lack basic infrastructure such as reliable electricity, internet access and trained teachers.
They say that simply removing chalkboards without upgrading school infrastructure may deepen educational inequality.
Education stakeholders and state ministries have been urged to align with the new vision and submit readiness plans ahead of the 2026 implementation phase.
The next 18 months will test whether Nigeria can move beyond symbolic reform to meaningful transformation in its classrooms.
