Alex Onyia, the Chief Executive Officer of Educare, has ignited a heated debate online following his remarks about the ongoing “smart school” projects in Abia and Enugu States. Onyia, who has long been an advocate of technology-driven education in Nigeria, questioned the true essence of these schools, suggesting that what is being branded as “smart” may, in reality, be superficial.
According to Onyia, a smart school should not be defined by the beauty of its exterior walls or modern paintwork, but by its teaching methods, technology integration, and capacity to equip children with future-ready skills. “A smart school isn’t just a shiny building,” Onyia stated. “It’s about technology, data-driven teaching, and preparing children for the world ahead.”
He cautioned that without meaningful changes to the curriculum and learning practices, the so-called smart schools risk becoming expensive structures with little to show in terms of academic innovation. “Enugu and Abia are building smart schools with painted walls,” he noted, “but if the classrooms still run on rote learning, we’re only painting the same old outdated system.”
Onyia’s intervention triggered a wave of responses from Nigerians who echoed his concerns about the disconnect between infrastructure and educational content. One commentator wrote: “You can’t run a smart school while still using outdated curriculum, textbooks, and teaching practices. We can do better. Let’s copy from the updated countries.”
Another social media user went further, calling the projects “an expensive photo op.” According to the user, a school cannot be described as smart if it only focuses on aesthetics while ignoring the substance of learning. “You can wrap a rotten yam in gold foil,” the user added, “but it’s still a rotten yam.”
Concerns were also raised about the technological backbone of these schools, particularly in terms of internet connectivity. A commentator expressed doubts over whether these schools could function properly if they rely on Nigeria’s existing mobile network providers. “My only concern is if it’s the same MTN, Airtel, and Glo they plan to use for internet access, considering what these networks have become,” the user stated.
This line of criticism highlights a broader fear: that the infrastructure of smart schools might not be supported by reliable internet access, rendering the promise of e-learning, digital classrooms, and global educational connections almost impossible to achieve. For critics, connectivity is the soul of a smart school, not just a supplementary feature.
There is also skepticism about the financial transparency of these projects. Some citizens believe the “smart school” branding is being used as a cover to inflate budgets. One user referenced the work of @BelloGaladanchi, who allegedly transformed a classroom with just N3 million, contrasting it with the multi-million naira figures being quoted for the Abia and Enugu projects.
“They show us the exterior of these buildings and call them smart schools,” another commentator argued, “but even the exterior doesn’t look smart.” For many, this raises serious questions about whether government officials are more interested in showcasing buildings than in reforming the educational process.
Analysts say the debate sparked by Onyia reveals a larger problem in Nigeria’s education sector: the prioritization of infrastructure over innovation. While new buildings are politically attractive, they do not automatically translate into improved teaching and learning outcomes. Without a parallel investment in teacher training, curriculum overhaul, and digital literacy, the projects may not achieve their intended goals.
For Onyia, the issue is not about rejecting smart school initiatives but about ensuring they are implemented in a meaningful way. “Smart isn’t in the paint — it’s in the practice,” he emphasized. This sentiment reflects a growing demand among education stakeholders for policies that focus on substance rather than optics.
As both Abia and Enugu governments push forward with their projects, education experts are urging them to address the core issues raised in the public debate. They argue that the integration of artificial intelligence, coding, robotics, and critical thinking into the school system would be a better marker of a smart school than walls painted in bright colors.
The conversation has also exposed the need for accountability in public spending on education. Nigerians are increasingly demanding transparency in how funds are allocated and questioning whether such projects genuinely serve the interests of students or merely act as political branding tools.
Ultimately, Onyia’s comments have forced a reckoning on what it truly means to build a smart school in Nigeria. While the physical transformation of school buildings is welcome, stakeholders insist that without meaningful investment in pedagogy, technology, and connectivity, the country risks creating “painted schools” rather than “smart schools.”
