Anambra State Government has entered into a partnership with EDVES, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered EdTech digital infrastructure provider, to revolutionise educational institutions in the state with project-based learning. This is in line with the Governor’s promise of making the state African Dubai-Taiwan.
Affirming this partnership in a statement, the Managing Director of Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, expressed optimism in Soludo’s ability to walk the talk and deliver his campaign promises. “We must show gratitude to the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for his strong commitment to educational advancement as the impetus for the smart school initiative,” he commended.
On his part, the co-founder/Chief Executive Officer of EDVES, Mr. Dimeji Falana, said the aim of the partnership was to transform teaching, learning and administration across the 22 pilot Smart Schools in all the 22 local government areas and redefine pedagogy by integrating artificial intelligence, data-driven insights and automation to enhance teaching effectiveness and student engagement.
“Unlike conventional EdTech solutions that primarily streamline administrative processes, Edves is teacher-centred and student-focused, empowering educators to leverage AI for personalised instruction, adaptive learning and deep inquiry-based education,” he said.
Falana maintained that by embedding Project-Based Learning (PBL) at the core of the transformation, it would ensure that students are not just memorising facts, but actively solving real-world problems, collaborating and developing essential 21st-century skills, such as creativity, critical thinking and innovation.
“With AI augmenting classroom experiences, teachers can curate dynamic lesson plans, track learning progress with predictive analytics and create immersive, interactive learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of students. This strategic partnership with Edves represents a forward-thinking approach to education reform, ensuring that Anambra’s smart schools become a model of excellence, where technology serves as an enabler of knowledge, inquiry and student-driven discovery.
“By combining intelligent automation with pedagogical depth, the state is laying a solid foundation for lifelong learning and future-ready graduates, who can compete globally in an era defined by AI, digital transformation and innovation-driven economies.”
According to him, unlike conventional EdTech solutions that focus solely on efficiency, the partnership goes beyond automation to empower educators and students with tools that foster deep inquiry, hands-on learning and real-world application of knowledge, while ensuring secured data management, streamlined administration and inclusive education for all learners, including those with special needs.
He added that the expected impact of the project would be, but not limited to transforming the state’s education system which would foster data-driven policy making and evidence-based decision-making.
“We are working on AI-enabled school infrastructure monitoring, smart tracking of classroom facilities, furniture, ICT labs, ventilation, sanitation and utilities to ensure a conducive learning environment with smart administration.
“Other goals of the project are to enhance teachers’ capacity for project-driven and inquiry-driven instruction; equipping students with future-ready skills, facilitating experiential learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and Arts, equipping students for global competitiveness.
“Children with special needs support are not left out in education transformation projects, as their particularities are factored in, while parental involvement in learning would be strengthened.
“Anambra State is not just digitising education but redefining how learning happens, shifting from note memorisation to hands-on, inquiry-driven experiences that prepare students for the future of work and innovation.
“This trailblazing initiative marks a new era of education in Nigeria, where AI empowers educators, inspires learners and strengthens school administration, ensuring that no child is left behind in the journey toward excellence, innovation and lifelong learning,” the digital expert affirmed.
During the workshop, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Anambra State, Chiamaka Nnake, lauded the Governor Soludo administration’s dedication to bridging the gap between public and private education through smart learning.
She emphasised the “critical need to equip community schools with cutting-edge digital tools, ensuring that every child in Anambra has access to a fair, modern, and future-ready education.”
Also, the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Edves, Dare Adebayo, led the sensitisation for the baseline assessment exercise.
He explained that students from JSS 1 to SSS 3 in 22 smart schools will be tested in English and Mathematics to establish a performance benchmark.
“The results will guide education policy recommendations and targeted interventions at the school, local government, and state levels,” Adebayo said.