UBEC Smart School: A Future Beyond JSS

By Ali Abare, Lafia
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In Nasarawa State, the UBEC Smart School stands as a beacon of innovation, embodying Governor Abdullahi Sule’s vision for a technology-driven education system.

Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, from robotics labs to digital content studios, these schools promise to revolutionize learning for Nigerian children. Yet, a critical question lingers: What happens to students after they complete Junior Secondary School (JSS)?

While the smart schools excel in foundational education, the transition to senior secondary and beyond remains a challenge, leaving many students at risk of falling through the cracks of an unaligned system.

The UBEC Smart Schools initiative, supported by partnerships like the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has made strides in digital literacy, teacher training, and infrastructure. Students in these schools gain exposure to coding, AI, and interactive learning tools, skills meant to prepare them for a 21st-century economy.

However, the program’s focus on basic education means there’s no clear pathway for graduates to continue their tech-enabled education in senior secondary schools, which often lack comparable resources. This disconnect threatens to undo the progress made during their formative years.

Governor Sule’s administration has shown commitment to education, notably through the recent release of N6.7 billion in UBEC funds to sustain schools in Nasarawa and address out-of-school children. Yet, the absence of a seamless transition plan risks wasting the potential of these students.

For instance, while the Smart School in Lafia showcases students’ prowess in robotics and digital tools, there’s no guarantee these talents will be nurtured further. The state’s partnership with UBEC, now under the leadership of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, a seasoned educationist, presents an opportunity to bridge this gap. Al-makura’s influence could drive policies to extend the smart school model to senior secondary levels or create vocational pipelines aligning with the skills students have acquired.

The broader issue reflects a systemic flaw in Nigeria’s education strategy. As noted in a critique of UBEC’s role, “Certificates don’t feed nations—skills do.” While the smart schools emphasize technical and digital competencies, the lack of continuity will ultimately force students into conventional schools where these skills are neither prioritized nor expanded. This misalignment echoes the warning that Nigeria’s education system glorifies degrees over practical competence, leaving even the most promising students unprepared for the job market.

Solutions exist but require urgent action. UBEC’s Effective School Programme (ESP), which aims to scale minimum standards in basic education, could be expanded to senior secondary levels, ensuring the smart school ethos isn’t lost after JSS.

Additionally, partnerships with tech hubs and industries, as proposed in UBEC’s collaboration with NOUN for a Post-Graduate Diploma in Smart Education, could create apprenticeship opportunities for graduates.

Governor Sule’s administration, with its proven dedication, must now look beyond infrastructure and ask: How can these students’ early advantages translate into lifelong opportunities? The answer will determine whether the smart school experiment becomes a transformative success or another half-realized promise.

Abare is the Chairman, School Based Management Committee, UBEC Smart School, Lafia

2025 LOSA Convention: The Admiration Of An Institution

By Shuaibu Usman Muhammad, Lafia
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The Lafia Old Students Association (LOSA) is set to hold its 2025 Convention at the Government Science School, Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The one-day event, which will hold on Saturday, 9th August, is bringing not only LOSA members at home and abroad together for its reunion, but also would be a day for the commissioning of landmark development projects proudly funded by Dr. Faisal Shuaib, OON, its National President.

The 2025 LOSA Convention would be graced by its Grand Patron and Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, who would commission the state-of-the-art projects.

Captains of industry, scholars, politicians, professionals and royal fathers across the state and nation would equally be in attendance including His Royal Highness, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad l JSC (Rtd.) Emir of Lafia and Chairman Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs and Esu Karu, His Royal Highness, Pharm. (Dr.) Luka Panya Baba.

The event features a spotlight of events, aside the commissioning of facilities donated by Dr. Faisal Shuaib, to include momentous Gala Night at 07:00pm on Saturday.

As LOSA is proud to announce the commissioning of these facilities, Government Science School Lafia is wearing a new look with the befitting face-lift it has in reconstruction of the school’s examinations hall furnished with air-conditioners and a waiting lounge. Dr. Faisal Shuaib, working with his personal resources, has designed an excitable basketball and volleyball courts that are of international best standards to better reposition the institution.

As a professional who understands what it means to have a serene environment to meet up with organisational goals, Dr. Faisal Shuaib has refurbished the LOSA National Secretariat with well-furnished offices, fully equipped data room, conference room, kitchen, architecturally suitable landscaping and a high-voltage generating set to stem the tide of power failure.

The alma mater now boasts of a potable, drinking water source with modern infrastructure, one of the challenges it had suffered over decades. The school borehole which has been reworked, is now solar-powered with running taps symbolic of Dr. Faisal Shuaib’s water-for-all identity.

With the smiles and cheers on the faces of the old boys, staff of the school and students now, the success story speaks volume of the benefactor’s quest in serving humanity through his initiative and support system to end the challenges.

The efforts of Dr. Faisal Shuaib in his alma mater among others have resulted in increased literacy rates alongside his scholarship disbursement.

Needless to say that the infrastructure development effort has a key role in achieving educational reforms.

It is a redefinition of community development with genuine concern and great inspiration which is a testament of investing back to society.

LOSA remains a focus, an inspiring example, a lasting legacy which must be reckoned with.

Hustle well

BREAKING: FG Commences Revival Tour of Kaduna’s Textile Hubs – UNTL & Chellco Industries

In a renewed effort to revive Nigeria’s cotton and garment industry, the Federal Government has begun a strategic tour of key textile hubs in Kaduna State, focusing on United Nigerian Textiles Limited (UNTL) and Chellco Industries.

The inspection tour was led by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Enoh, alongside the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr. Olasupo Olusi.

During a stop at UNTL, the Emir of Kano and Chairman of the company, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, lamented the 2022 shutdown of the once-thriving factory due to harsh economic realities. He highlighted that at its peak, the textile giant provided employment to over 10,000 Nigerians across the value chain.

At Chellco Industries, one of the few textile companies still operational since 1980, the Minister praised the management’s resilience and commitment, despite decades of economic headwinds. The company currently maintains a workforce of over 290 employees, continuing to play a key role in the local economy.

The federal delegation’s visit signals a renewed push to revitalize the textile sector, once a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial economy.

Reported by: Journalist KC
Posted by: The Katagwan Reporters

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