The Federal Government has taken a bold step to establish a centralised and harmonised databank with a unified platform that will consolidate all critical education data in the country.
Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, speaking at the inauguration of the 25-member implementation committee for the Nigerian Education Data Initiative (NEDI) on Monday, lamented the fragmented and lack of comprehensive data in education system in Nigeria.
The committee is chaired by the Minister of Education himself to underscore its imperative, while Mr. Abubakar Isah of Data and Digitalisation Unit (DDU) of the Ministry, would serve as Pro-Coordinator, alongside 23 other members drawn from different ministries and agencies of government.
Alausa noted that lack of unified and reliable databank has impeded effective development of the sector overtime, hence the need to change the narrative in order to reposition the Nigerian education system as a beacon of excellence.
He maintained that at its core, the databank would not merely house information but serve as the foundation for evidence-based decision-making and policy development, enabling the government to deliver quality education that meets the aspirations of every Nigerian child
Alausa informed that the plan of the government was to build a robust Nigerian Education Databank that provides a 360-degree view of the education system, saying this would consolidate records from primary school to tertiary institutions, leveraging the National Identity Number (NIN) as a unique identifier for every student.
He further highlighted numerous benefits of the initiative, stating that the framework would enable the government to track, in real-time, the educational journey of every Nigerian child, ensuring no one is left behind.
Alausa said: “For too long, our education system has been hindered by the absence of a unified and comprehensive data framework. It has been fragmented, inconsistent, with incomplete data, spread across various institutions, agencies, and States.
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“This has also impeded our ability to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and measure progress with accuracy. Today, we are saying unequivocally: this must change.
“The Nigerian Education Data Initiative is our bold response to these longstanding challenges. Through NEDI, we are embarking on an ambitious journey to establish a centralised, harmonised databank with a unified platform that will consolidate all critical education data in Nigeria.
“At its core, this databank will not merely house information but serve as the foundation for evidence-based decision-making and policy development, enabling us to deliver quality education that meets the aspirations of every Nigerian child,” the Minister stated.
He explained that key components of the data framework would include, school locations and infrastructure Comprehensive data on school locations, physical infrastructure, and the availability of essential facilities—classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and ICT resource, which would guide strategic investments, particularly in underserved regions.
He listed other areas of focus to include, student information, parental data, teachers and educators, examination and assessment records, university and tertiary education data, school grading system and other key indicators such as funding sources, donor contributions, and statistics on non-formal education, will ensure a holistic view of the education sector.
“I urge you to approach this assignment with the utmost dedication, professionalism, and a sense of purpose. The future of Nigeria’s education system depends on your ability to deliver on this mandate.
“On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education, I assure you of our unwavering commitment to this initiative. We will provide the necessary resources and institutional support to ensure that NEDI succeeds in transforming our education system,” the Minister added.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad said the Nigerian Education Data Initiative is designed to address various challenges by establishing a centralized, secure, and robust data repository.
She added that the inauguration of the committee marks a significant milestone in the shared commitment to improving the quality of education and ensuring equitable access for all.
