Tech-driven learning key to Nigeria’s human capital growth — Alausa

… as Katsina State smart school commissioned

Tunji Alausa, minister of education, has underscored the importance of technology-driven learning in building Nigeria’s human capital, stressing that digital skills are essential to preparing a competitive and future-ready workforce.

Alausa disclosed this during the commissioning of the Katsina State Smart Secondary School, Radda, when he reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to building a future-ready and globally competitive education system, describing technology-driven learning as central to Nigeria’s human capital development.

Stakeholders are worried that Nigeria’s human capital development is in crisis amid a shambolic education system, as a study shows that poor learning outcomes significantly hinder human capital development by limiting an individual’s ability to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies for personal and professional growth.

According to the World Bank report, Nigeria’s Human Capital Index (HCI) in 2020 was 0.36. This score indicates that a child born in Nigeria in 2020 will likely grow up to achieve only 36 percent of the productivity they could have achieved with quality education and full health.

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The minister described the smart school as a strategic intervention that goes beyond infrastructure, representing innovation, opportunity, and a deliberate investment in the nation’s future workforce.

“The institution is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in a digital, knowledge-driven global economy,” he said.

He commended the Katsina State government’s Build Your Future blueprint initiative, noting that it aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative.

Besides, the minister disclosed that over N106 billion in UBEC matching grants have been accessed by states, with more than 10,000 classrooms renovated, hundreds of thousands of teachers trained, and millions of textbooks distributed nationwide.

Moreover, Alausa emphasised that the ongoing curriculum reforms, expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and digital initiatives such as the Learner Identification Number and cloud-based Annual School Census will strengthen data-driven planning.

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The minister, speaking about the ministry’s skills development impact, disclosed that over 160,000 youth are currently undergoing training in more than 1,200 TVET centres, with over one million applications recorded, reflecting rising demand for skills-based education.

Dikko Radda, governor of Katsina State, in his remarks, described the project as a deliberate investment in the future of Katsina’s children, particularly those from underserved communities.

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the chairman of the Nigerian governors’ forum and the governor of Kwara State, commended the initiative and urged stakeholders to maximise its opportunities.

The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to working with states and 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.