The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s education sector through a new data-driven infrastructure designed to improve planning, resource allocation, and educational outcomes nationwide.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement on the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure at the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, described the initiative as a defining moment for the country’s education reform agenda.
According to the minister, the programme signals a transition from fragmented analogue processes to an automated and efficient system capable of supporting evidence-based decision-making across the education sector.
The event brought together key government officials, development partners, diplomats, and education stakeholders, including the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ossai, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, representatives of UNICEF, scholars, and foreign envoys.
Tunji-Ojo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as strategic leadership in appointing qualified individuals to key national positions. He specifically praised the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, noting that his transfer from the health sector to education was already yielding transformative results.
He explained that the education data infrastructure would help government authorities address pressing challenges such as the growing number of out-of-school children, improve targeted deployment of resources, and establish measurable performance indicators within the sector.
Drawing parallels from reforms at the Ministry of Interior, the minister said robust data systems had helped reduce recidivism rates in Nigeria’s correctional centres through skills audits, entrepreneurship training, and rehabilitation programmes.
He added that strengthening data systems within the education sector would also improve citizenship integrity, boost human capital development, and enhance national security, while supporting Nigeria’s transition from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy.
Tunji-Ojo further described quality education as critical to producing globally competitive professionals and accelerating socio-economic development.
He congratulated the Federal Ministry of Education and its leadership for what he termed a bold and timely reform initiative, pledging continued collaboration in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
