The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is set to establish five smart boarding schools in Niger State under its $110 million Smart Education Transformation Project (SmartEdu), aimed at modernising education and improving access to quality learning.
The project, being implemented in partnership with other stakeholders, is designed to expand digital learning infrastructure, construct and rehabilitate schools, and address the challenge of out-of-school children.
The Operations Team Leader of IsDB, Imtiaz Alam, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago at the Government House, Minna.
Alam, who led the bank’s delegation, said the team was in Niger State on a preparatory mission to consult with government officials and deliberate on effective strategies for implementing the project.
He explained that the $110 million initiative would also be implemented in Yobe and Jigawa states, commending Governor Bago for his administration’s commitment to development and the smooth implementation of IsDB-supported projects in Niger State.
According to him, the governor’s proactive leadership and the coordinated efforts of his administration have contributed to attracting the bank’s interventions to the state.
Alam listed some of the bank’s ongoing projects in Niger State to include the Minna-Bida road project, bilingual education project and 100-megawatt solar power project.
He added that the proposed smart schools would be modern, state-of-the-art boarding facilities, noting that construction would commence in December 2026, subject to the completion of the preparatory mission and necessary approval processes.
Responding, Governor Bago appreciated the Islamic Development Bank for its continued support for the development of Niger State, noting that the bank had implemented three projects under his administration.
The governor commended the bank for its intervention in the bilingual education project and disclosed that the state government would commence the recruitment of teachers and other personnel to take over the facility upon its handover.
He also acknowledged the bank’s contributions to the Minna-Bida road project and its intervention in the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
Bago described the Smart Education Transformation Project as a major opportunity for the state to establish large-scale modern schools equipped with digital facilities, information and communication technology infrastructure and other essential learning resources.
He said the initiative would particularly improve access to modern education for children from less privileged backgrounds.
Earlier, the leader of the Federal Ministry of Finance delegation, Idris Dahiru Barde, said the ministry monitors IsDB-supported projects and had rated the Minna-Bida road project among the best-performing interventions.
Barde disclosed that the road project had achieved approximately 75 per cent implementation within two years, describing it as a remarkable performance.
He commended Governor Bago for his commitment and proactive approach to ensuring the successful implementation of the project.
Also speaking, the Niger State Commissioner for Basic Education, Dr. Hadiza Mohammed, said the Smart Education Transformation Project would provide children with safe and well-equipped learning environments, trained teachers and access to modern educational tools.
She explained that the five proposed smart boarding schools would cover basic and senior secondary education across the state.
According to her, the facilities would be supported by digital learning infrastructure, reliable electricity, water supply and capacity-building programmes for teachers and school managers.
Hadiza commended the Islamic Development Bank, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for selecting Niger State for the intervention and providing the necessary support and guidance.
