The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has conducted its Annual Performance Evaluation Forum, a significant event designed to review and reward the achievements of principals and teachers across six KOICA-supported smart schools in Nigeria.
Comprehensive Assessment of Smart Education
The forum, organized on November 13, 2025, represents a crucial component of the KOICA Education Project managed by UBION Consortium. This year's edition marks the completion of the project's monitoring and evaluation phase, with participants from Bauchi, Ekiti, Cross River, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano, and Nasarawa presenting detailed progress reports from their respective states.
According to Ja'afar Adi, Principal of UBEC Model Smart School (UMSS) Nasarawa, the evaluation process focused on two main categories: school management and curriculum operations. The assessment examined how effectively school leaders have implemented smart education concepts, including creating conducive learning environments, organizing smart school fairs, and mobilizing support from State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) and other stakeholders.
State-by-State Innovations and Achievements
Kano State emerged as the overall winner of the evaluation, recognized for its exceptional performance in school management, innovation in digital learning, and strong commitment to equipping students with 21st-century skills.
In Ekiti State, David Ayodeji Osatuyi, Principal of the UMSS in Ijan-Ekiti, emphasized the school's dedication to its motto "Smart Education, Brighter Future." The institution boasts classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards, projectors, student tablets, and teacher laptops, enabling flexible teaching methodologies. The school also features flexible learning spaces, rich digital content, and practical agricultural education through the "Agriculture in Schools Programme."
To further enhance operations, Ekiti SUBEB Chairman Prof. Femi Akinwumi approved the deployment of 30 non-teaching staff, including office assistants, gardeners, and cleaners. The school has also installed a solar inverter system to ensure uninterrupted teaching and learning activities.
Future Plans and Cultural Integration
In Bauchi State, Tahir Inuwa Babayo, representing UMSS Bauchi Smart School in collaboration with SUBEB, announced plans for a second Smart School Fair in December. The event aims to build upon the success of the 2024 pilot edition by inviting participants from various Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs). Activities will include quiz competitions, project exhibitions by students and teachers, and cultural performances, with prizes and certificates awarded to winners in each category.
For the Federal Capital Territory, Ado Murtala, Principal of the UBEC Model Smart School in Karshi, presented innovations using local instructional materials that reflect cultural and social values. The school actively promotes teacher collaboration, student-centered learning, and participation in extracurricular and sporting activities to enhance students' physical and mental well-being.
The Kano Model Smart School outlined its vision for the 2024-2025 academic year, focusing on producing globally competitive students equipped with advanced digital skills to meet the demands of modern education and the international job market.
The KOICA Annual Performance Evaluation Forum continues to serve as a vital platform for innovation, accountability, and recognition among Nigeria's smart schools, reinforcing the nation's commitment to technology-driven education and the development of future-ready learners. The initiative demonstrates the successful partnership between international development agencies and Nigerian educational institutions in transforming the educational landscape through digital innovation.
