Over 60% Of Public Primary School Teachers In Nigeria Lack Digital Literacy – UBEC

The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, has revealed that more than 60 per cent of public primary school teachers in Nigeria lack basic digital literacy skills.

Garba made this disclosure in Abuja during the closing ceremony of the first phase of the Nigeria–Korea Smart Education Project, which has introduced modern digital learning infrastructure, teacher training, and locally developed educational content in selected schools.

She explained that when the initiative commenced in 2021, the Nigerian education system was confronted with harsh realities — including over 10.1 million out-of-school children, 70 per cent of pupils lacking foundational learning skills, and a majority of public school teachers without essential digital competence.

According to her, these challenges were seen as opportunities to bridge the digital divide and strengthen teacher capacity.

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The Smart Education Project, implemented by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in partnership with UBEC, currently covers schools in Kano, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Cross River, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, commended the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and South Korea, describing it as respectful, mutually supportive, and focused on sustainable development despite global uncertainties.

“We share the vision that nations should relate respectfully, in a mutually supportive manner, with the understanding that humanity is one and shared prosperity is possible,” Bagudu stated.

The minister also expressed appreciation to KOICA for its numerous interventions in Nigeria, noting that its support extends beyond the Federal Capital Territory to other states, in line with the country’s federal structure where education is a joint responsibility of federal, state, and local governments.

The Manager of the Project Management Consulting (PMC) company, UBION Consortium, Prof. Dae Joon Hwang, stressed the importance of sustainability and urged greater parental and community involvement in the programme. He further assured that the second phase of the project, which will expand to 37 smart schools nationwide, would soon be rolled out.

In his remarks, the Country Director of KOICA, Eunsub Kim, represented by the agency’s Manager, David Nkwa, explained that the project adopts a blended learning model. He said the approach is designed to shift classrooms from being teacher-centred to student-focused, while maintaining the national curriculum but reimagining teaching methods to enhance learner engagement and improve outcomes.

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