Education has always been central to the development of any major city, but the demands placed on schools and students have changed significantly. A good education now requires more than classrooms, textbooks and examinations. Students also need digital skills, access to technology, trained teachers and practical knowledge that can prepare them for further education, employment and entrepreneurship.
This is the focus of the E for Education and Technology pillar under the Lagos State Government’s THEMES+ agenda.
The pillar brings two closely connected areas together. Education provides knowledge and skills, while technology has changed how students learn, how teachers teach and how institutions manage information. Lagos State’s education agenda therefore includes improving access to public education, renovating schools, supporting teachers and using technology to strengthen learning and administration. (Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board)
The importance of this approach is evident in a state with millions of young people passing through different levels of education. The responsibility is not simply to enrol children in school. The greater challenge is ensuring that the education they receive prepares them for the demands they will face after leaving the classroom.
Infrastructure remains an important part of that responsibility.
In August 2025, the Lagos State Government reaffirmed its investment in educational infrastructure, teacher development, vocational training and digital literacy initiatives under the THEMES+ agenda. The government said it had commissioned modern classroom blocks while continuing programmes designed to improve learning outcomes. (Lagos State Government: Sanwo-Olu Reaffirms Commitment to Education Development)
The State’s 2026 to 2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework also reported that more than 1,097 school projects had been completed as part of infrastructure development. It further highlighted investments in modular classrooms, interactive smart boards, tablets and learning devices. (Lagos State Government 2026–2028 MTEF)
These projects matter because the condition of a school affects the learning experience. Students need classrooms that are functional and safe, while teachers need facilities that support effective teaching. Building new classrooms is therefore only one part of the work. Existing schools also require maintenance, adequate learning materials and trained personnel.
Teacher development is another major area of focus.
No technology can replace the role of a capable teacher. Digital tools may improve access to information and provide new ways of presenting lessons, but teachers still guide students through the learning process. Training and professional development therefore remain necessary if technology is going to be used effectively in classrooms.
The Lagos State Government has continued to connect teacher development with its wider education plans. In October 2025, Education District IV distributed tablet devices to school administrators and teachers as part of efforts to improve digital efficiency, communication and data-driven administration. The initiative was specifically linked to the Education and Technology pillar of the THEMES+ agenda. (Lagos State Government: Education District IV Presents Tablets to School Administrators and Teachers)
Technology, however, extends beyond providing devices in schools.
Digital skills have become increasingly important for students entering higher education and the workplace. From artificial intelligence and data analysis to communication tools and digital entrepreneurship, many careers now require a level of technological competence that previous generations did not necessarily need.
Lagos has introduced programmes aimed at helping young people develop these skills.
In 2025, the State Government announced the Eko Digital Training Programme in Badagry and Yaba. The programme focused on digital and entrepreneurial skills and included training connected to emotional intelligence and artificial intelligence. (Lagos State Government: Eko Digital Training)
The Ministry of Tertiary Education has also pursued digital capability training for students in state-owned tertiary institutions. In October 2024, the State Government announced a programme aimed at equipping young people with digital and entrepreneurial skills, with a long-term target of developing digital capabilities among one million young people by 2030. (Lagos State Government: AI and Digital Training for Tertiary Students)
These initiatives reflect an important reality. Completing formal education doesn’t automatically guarantee that a graduate has the practical skills required for employment or business. Students increasingly need to understand how to use technology, adapt to new tools and apply their knowledge outside examination halls.
Science and technology education has also received greater attention.
The State Government has promoted STEAM education, which brings together Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Through programmes such as Innovate Eko STEAM Day, students have been encouraged to develop ideas, research projects and practical innovations. The government reported in 2025 that more than 100 student innovations had been developed since 2021, with some advancing towards the patent stage. (Lagos State Government: Innovate Eko STEAM Programme)
The value of programmes like these lies in giving students opportunities to apply what they learn. A science lesson becomes more useful when students understand how scientific knowledge can help address practical problems. Technology education also becomes more meaningful when students can create, test and improve their own ideas.
Yet progress in education and technology must also address inequality.
Not every student has the same access to digital devices, internet connectivity or learning support at home. Introducing technology into education is important, but access must extend beyond a small number of well-equipped schools. Public education must remain accessible to children regardless of their economic circumstances or physical abilities.
The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board identifies this as part of its responsibility, stating that its goal is to provide quality basic education while leveraging technology for children of school-going age across Lagos. Its education transformation plan also includes improving access for children in underserved areas and developing plans for special needs education. (LASUBEB Education Transformation Plan)
This is where the success of the E pillar will be tested.
A modern classroom is valuable, but it must also have qualified teachers. Tablets and smart boards can support learning, but students and teachers must know how to use them effectively. Digital training programmes can open opportunities, but they need to reach young people beyond major business districts.
The government has also begun planning for the future of education on a longer timeline. In October 2025, Lagos announced the development of an Education Sector Plan covering 2025 to 2035, designed to provide a framework for education policies, goals and strategies over a ten-year period. (Lagos State Government: Lagos Begins Education Sector Plan)
Long-term planning is important because education does not produce immediate results. The impact of an improved primary school may become clearer years later when its students enter secondary school, university or the workforce. The same applies to technology. Providing access today should be followed by continuous training and updated systems as technology develops.
The E in THEMES+ is therefore about more than putting computers in classrooms.
It represents an effort to improve the foundations of public education while preparing students and young people for a technology-driven economy. This includes school infrastructure, teacher development, digital learning, vocational education, STEAM programmes and technology skills training.
Lagos has recorded progress across these areas, with investments in schools, digital tools and programmes for students and young people. The work ahead lies in ensuring that these investments translate into stronger learning outcomes and that access to quality education and technology extends across different parts of the state.
For students and parents, the real impact will be reflected in practical experiences. Are schools equipped to support learning? Do teachers have the resources and training they need? Can students develop skills that remain useful after graduation? Are young people being prepared for the jobs and industries emerging around them?
These are the questions that will determine the long-term success of the Education and Technology pillar.
As Lagos continues to invest in its young population, education and technology will remain closely linked. One provides the knowledge and foundation, while the other continues to change how that knowledge is accessed and applied.
Keep Reading with Exquisite Magazine
The THEMES+ series continues with Exquisite Magazine as we examine the programmes and policies shaping Lagos, one pillar at a time. Having explored Transportation, Health and Environment, and now Education and Technology, our next instalment turns to M: Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, examining the government’s efforts to strengthen businesses, investment and economic opportunities across the state.
