The Federal Government has announced plans to phase out the use of chalkboards in all Nigerian schools by 2027, replacing them with modern smart boards. Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, disclosed this at a ministerial roundtable in Abuja, affirming the administration’s determination to bridge the digital divide in the nation’s education system. He revealed that starting from 2026, the annual school census will be fully digitalised. According to Alausa, over 60,000 tablets have already been distributed to students in Adamawa, Oyo, and Katsina States under the Airtech (AWS) and BESDA programmes, with an additional 30,000 expected soon. He explained that smart boards will promote interactive, technology-driven learning, enabling students to actively engage with multimedia and digital content. The minister also expressed concern over the alarming dropout rate, revealing that out of 30 million pupils captured across 21 states on the Nigeria Education Management Information System (NEMIS), only about six million progress to senior secondary level. He said the digitalisation initiative would facilitate evidence-based interventions and improve tracking of students through biometric records. Alausa further disclosed plans to integrate WAEC and JAMB data into the NEMIS platform, while appreciating UNICEF and President Bola Tinubu for their continued support. Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, confirmed that technology has been fully integrated into teaching and school management processes as part of the ongoing digital transformation in public education. The initiative, Alausa noted, aims to build a more dynamic learning environment, reduce the number of out-of-school children, and ensure that every Nigerian child, regardless of background, has access to quality education.