Minister Alausa Commissions Abia’s First Flagship Smart School, Commends Otti’s Investment in Future-Ready Education

It was a historic occasion as the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, commissioned the Ogbor Central Smart School, Ubakala, in Umuahia South Local Government Area, one of the state-of-the-art educational facilities built by the administration of Governor Dr Alex Otti across the three senatorial zones of Abia State.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Dr Alausa commended Governor Otti’s decision to establish Smart Schools across Abia State, describing it as clear evidence of a government committed to preparing children for leadership roles in Nigeria and across the globe.

The Minister noted that the Otti-led administration is pursuing a forward-looking vision centred on human capital development. He described the governor as a visionary leader investing in the future by prioritising quality education alongside critical infrastructure development.

Highlighting the benefits of the Smart Schools, including access to world-class digital learning resources comparable to those available internationally, early exposure to Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other emerging digital technologies, Dr Alausa predicted that the impact of the initiative would become evident within the next five to ten years. He expressed confidence that Abia would emerge as a global leader in education.

In his address, Governor Dr Alex Otti said the Smart School initiative forms part of his administration’s strategy to transform human capital into the engine of economic growth. He noted that the global economy has shifted from dependence on natural resources to one driven by knowledge, innovation and technology.

Governor Otti, whose speech was titled “Tomorrow is the Reward,” disclosed that the Ogbor Central Smart School is the first of three flagship Smart Schools to be commissioned across the state’s three senatorial districts. He added that an additional 17 Smart Schools, one in each local government area of the state, would also be completed and commissioned.

The Governor revealed that each Smart School would accommodate about 300 pupils, with every pupil receiving a tablet to support classroom learning. He added that the facilities are equipped with interactive digital learning tools, predictive security systems, sick bays and specially trained teachers to provide pupils with a conducive learning environment.

Governor Otti also declared a zero-tolerance policy against extortion in schools, warned against the vandalism of public school facilities, and urged parents and community leaders to support the initiative by promoting discipline and good values among children.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, described the commissioning of the Smart School as the fulfilment of Governor Otti’s vision of placing education at the centre of sustainable development. He noted that the initiative is designed to guarantee every child, irrespective of background or location, access to world-class education, adding that the schools would prepare pupils for a future driven by knowledge, innovation and technology.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mrs Lydia Onuoha, explained that the Smart School initiative evolved from a pilot Smart School developed pro bono by Blue Giraffe Development Ltd in Ohafia in 2024, which became the model for the statewide rollout of Smart Schools.

According to her, the Ogbor Central Smart School features 13 digitally equipped classrooms, an ICT centre, a modern library, an Early Childhood Care Development Centre, artificial intelligence-enabled learning systems, virtual and augmented reality facilities, renewable energy infrastructure, and a dedicated girls’ room.

She added that the state had already enrolled about 375 pupils at the facility and would deploy the Federal Government’s newly launched digital learning resources to maximise learning outcomes.

The President-General of the Ubakala Clan Development Union, Elder Godwin Mbonu, expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for extending the Smart School initiative to the community, describing the project as a priceless gift that would provide knowledge, dignity and opportunity for future generations.

The first phase of the Smart School projects executed by the administration of Governor Alex Otti across the state features digitally enabled classrooms equipped with interactive learning technologies, artificial intelligence-supported instructional tools, and other cutting-edge educational facilities aimed at preparing pupils for the demands of the 21st century.