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Nigeria's Federal Government is intensifying efforts to combat the persistent issue of out-of-school children by activating a network of Smart, Bilingual, and Alternative Schools that were previously completed but remained non-operational.

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Infrastructure alone does not educate a child. A completed building without pupils is simply an empty structure. A furnished classroom without teachers remains an idle investment.

Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, inaugurated a ministerial implementation and monitoring committee in Abuja. This committee is tasked with ensuring these facilities begin admitting learners. Alausa emphasized that completed school projects under the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) must become functional learning centers, particularly for children excluded from formal education. This initiative aligns with the government's Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to broaden access to quality basic education and enhance learning outcomes.

Alausa stated that the government will no longer tolerate idle infrastructure, highlighting that "infrastructure alone does not educate a child." He noted that while UBEC has invested significantly in these specialized schools, implementation gaps have hindered their effectiveness. The newly formed committee will coordinate the transition from infrastructure completion to full operation, including outstanding works, staffing, enrollment, and ongoing monitoring.

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Every day a completed school remains locked represents lost opportunities for thousands of Nigerian children.

The committee will collaborate with state governments, State Universal Basic Education Boards, and other stakeholders. Their responsibilities include equipping schools with necessary furniture, learning materials, and utilities like electricity, water, and internet connectivity. They will also facilitate teacher deployment and student enrollment. The Smart Schools program, introduced by UBEC, aims to modernize basic education through technology, featuring digital classrooms, internet access, and interactive learning tools.

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Success will not be measured by the number of reports submitted, but by how many schools are actually teaching Nigerian children.