Digital Literacy: Senate Moves to Amend UBEC Act

Nigeria is set to overhaul its foundational education laws to reflect a new digital reality, as the Senate embarks on a review of the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) Act to integrate smart learning into classrooms nationwide.

This legislative move was made public by Senator Ekong Sampson, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education (Basic & Secondary), at the International Conference on Smart Education and Digital Literacy held Tuesday in Abuja.

Speaking at the opening of the high-level conference, Senator Sampson said that digital literacy had become a developmental necessity. In his words “This is no longer optional, It is central to Nigeria’s educational transformation agenda and must be firmly embedded in the legal framework.”

The event, hosted at the UBEC Digital Resource Centre and themed “Empowering African Smart Education through Emerging Technologies,” was co-organized by UBEC and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and featured wide participation from stakeholders in education and technology.

Describing the conference as “timely and strategic,” Sampson revealed that the Senate’s proposed amendments to the UBEC Act are aimed at strengthening the institutional foundation for inclusive, equitable, and technology-driven education. “Our goal is to reposition the basic education sector to produce a generation that is future-ready, one that can innovate, not just consume technology,” he said.

He further stressed the need to rethink traditional classrooms and adopt digital tools that align with 21st-century realities. “Every Nigerian child deserves the opportunity to thrive in a smart learning environment. We must act now to ensure no child is left behind in this digital revolution,” Sampson stated.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, corroborated this position as he called for the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the national curriculum. “AI can help personalize learning, close systemic gaps, and prepare our students for a tech centric global economy,” he said.

UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, assured participants of the Commission’s readiness to lead Nigeria’s digital education agenda. “UBEC is committed to ensuring that every child regardless of location, has access to digital tools and platforms that enhance learning,” she said.