The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is set to establish five smart boarding schools in Niger State under its Smart Education Transformation Project (SmartEdu).
The project is a strategic initiative by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in partnership with other stakeholders aimed at modernizing educational systems, expanding digital learning infrastructure, constructing or rehabilitating schools, and tackling out-of-school rates.
The Operations team leader, Islamic Development Bank, Imtiaz Alam who led the team on a courtesy visit to the exexutive governor of Niger State, farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago at the Government House Minna said, the team is in the State on a preparation mission to have a consultative process and deliberate with the State government officials on how the project will be effectively carried out.
He disclosed that the $110m project is also to be carried out in Yobe and Jigawa States and commended the farner governor for a well coordinated efforts adding that, through the New Niger Development Project, the Bank has been having a stress free operation in the State and that, the proactiveness of the farmer governor and his leadership qualities have served as some of the factors that attracted Islamic Bank to the State
He said, already the bank has embarked on some other projects like the Minna-Bida road project, the bilingual education project and the 100mw solar project.
Mr. Alam also pointed out that the Smart School project which is to be a huge state-of-the-art boarding facility will be executed upon completion of the preparation mission and approval processes which will pave way for its commencement by December this year .
Farmer Umaru Bago in his remarks appreciated the Islamic Development Bank for its continuous support to the development of Niger State stressing that the Bank had executed three projects under his administration .
The farmer governor also commended them for the construction of a bilingual school and added that the State government will begin the employment of staff and teachers who will take over the project immediately and hand it over to the State.
He also appreciated them for the Minna-Bida road project and their intervention in RAMP project in the State while also admitting that the smart education transformation project gives the State hope of having mega schools with facilities that are going to be smart, well equipped with ICT and give opportunity to the less privileged have access to computer and modern learning
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Idris Dahiru Barde said that Ministry monitors all the IsDB and has rated the Minna/Bida road projects as one of the best projects that is being implemented and the only project that achieved implementation of about 75% in only two years.
He then commended Governor Bago for his commitment and proactiveness in the implementation of the project
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Basic Education, Dr. Hadiza Mohammed said the Smart Education Transformation Project will give children the opportunity to have a safe, well-equipped school with trained teachers and access to modern tools
She said the proposed program will establish 5 smart boarding schools, starting from the basic education to senior secondary education across the state, adding that it will be backed by digital learning, reliable power, water supply, and the training of teachers and school managers.
Dr. Hadiza commended the Islamic Development Bank, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Universal Basic Education Commission for choosing the Niger state and for their support and guidance.
