Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board has distributed 20,000 electronic tablets to schools as part of a new program to reduce learning poverty in the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The board said the devices will help pupils gain better access to digital learning tools, improve reading and writing skills, and prepare them for a technology-driven future.

Speaking during the launch of the initiative in Katsina on Thursday, SUBEB Chairman Lawal Buhari Daura said the tablets were procured under a state government project designed to close the education gap in rural and urban areas.

He said learning poverty — defined as the inability of children to read and understand a simple text by the age of 10 — has become a major concern in Katsina and across Nigeria. He stressed that the tablets are a strategic tool to address the problem.

“This effort is not only about distributing devices,” Daura said. “It is about equipping our children with the skills they need to succeed in the modern world. We want every child in Katsina to have the opportunity to learn, grow, and compete with their peers globally.”

The program targets pupils in public primary and junior secondary schools across all 34 local government areas of the state. Officials said priority will be given to schools in rural communities, where resources are often limited and learning outcomes remain low.

Teachers will also be trained to use the tablets as part of classroom instruction. According to the board, this will ensure that the technology is not only available but effectively integrated into daily lessons.

Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, represented at the event by his education commissioner, said the initiative reflects his administration’s commitment to invest in the future of young people. He said the state government will continue to strengthen public schools with modern facilities and teacher support.

“We cannot allow our children to fall behind,” the governor said. “Education is the most powerful weapon against poverty, insecurity, and unemployment. By investing in digital learning, we are opening doors of opportunity for the next generation.”

Education experts say the use of tablets and other e-learning devices can help bridge the gap between pupils in resource-rich and resource-poor environments. However, they also caution that technology must be backed with teacher training, reliable electricity, and internet access to achieve real results.

A teacher at one of the schools receiving tablets, Amina Usman, welcomed the program, saying it will make her job easier and help students engage better with lessons. “Children learn faster when they see and interact with content,” she said. “These tablets will change the way we teach.”

Some parents who attended the launch also expressed optimism. Musa Abdullahi, a farmer from a rural community, said his daughter would now have access to tools he never imagined. “I did not go to school, but I want my children to learn and have a better future,” he said. “With this support, I believe they will.”

According to UNICEF, Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the world, with more than 10 million affected. Even among those in school, many face learning poverty due to poor facilities, inadequate teaching materials, and lack of trained teachers.

Analysts say programs like the one in Katsina could play a role in reversing this trend if sustained and expanded.

The SUBEB chairman said the board will monitor the use of the tablets to ensure accountability and measurable impact on learning outcomes. He also called on parents, teachers, and community leaders to support the initiative.

“This is a collective effort,” Daura said. “Government alone cannot solve the problem of learning poverty. We need every stakeholder to join hands and make sure that no child is left behind.”