Nigeria's education sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation under the leadership of Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, who has initiated sweeping reforms focused on digital learning, curriculum modernization, and evidence-based policies between October and mid-November 2025.
Digital Classroom Revolution Takes Center Stage
The cornerstone of Alausa's reform agenda is the National Smart Learning Initiative, which has already distributed over 800 interactive smartboards to public schools across Nigeria. This ambitious program aims to replace traditional chalk-and-talk teaching methods with dynamic, multimedia instruction that actively engages students and enhances comprehension.
Complementing this hardware deployment is the comprehensive National EdTech Strategy, designed to institutionalize digital learning nationwide. The strategy includes the innovative "Zero-Rated Data and Devices" scheme, which provides teachers in underserved communities with free internet access and subsidized smart devices, effectively breaking down barriers to digital education.
Curriculum and Credential Overhaul
Beyond technological upgrades, Alausa has championed significant curriculum reforms that prioritize practical skills over rote memorization. The revised curriculum reduces the number of subjects while emphasizing trade skills, digital literacy, and civic education, aiming to produce graduates who are workforce-ready and capable of innovation.
In a bold move to combat academic fraud, the minister launched the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) initiative. This system assigns every certificate, transcript, and diploma a National Credential Number (NCN), enabling instant verification by students, employers, and institutions while aligning Nigerian credentials with global standards.
Language Policy Shift and Teacher Development
One of the most debated reforms has been the reversal of the 2022 National Language Policy. Based on performance data showing lower exam results in regions that implemented mother-tongue instruction, Alausa reinstated English as the primary medium of instruction across all educational levels.
While critics express concerns about cultural erosion, the minister maintains that "performance and measurable learning gains must guide policy." Meanwhile, Minister of State for Education Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad is implementing specialized teacher training programs focused on early-grade literacy and numeracy, ensuring that foundational education keeps pace with national standards.
Teacher empowerment remains crucial to the reform success, with numerous workshops and digital training sessions conducted nationwide to equip educators with pedagogical skills compatible with technology-driven classrooms.
Equity and International Collaboration
Special attention has been given to addressing educational disparities, particularly in northern Nigeria where schools have historically lacked infrastructure and digital resources. The ministry is prioritizing these regions for device distribution, internet connectivity, and teacher training programs.
Alausa has also engaged extensively with international partners, including education-focused NGOs, global tech firms, and policy think tanks. These collaborations have enabled pilot projects in digital literacy, STEM laboratories, and vocational education, positioning Nigeria as an active participant in shaping 21st-century education standards across Africa.
The complementary leadership of Alausa and Ahmad represents a strategic approach to educational reform, with the Minister of State handling foundational elements while Alausa shapes macro policy architecture encompassing digital strategy, curriculum reform, and credential integrity.
From traditional chalkboards to interactive digital platforms, from memorization-based learning to skills development, and from opaque credentials to verified data systems, Dr. Tunji Alausa's tenure exemplifies a results-driven reform agenda that could potentially equip a generation of Nigerian students to thrive in the global arena.
