Nigeria’s Education System Hindered by Lack of Comprehensive Data – Minister

• Nigeria’s Education Data Initiative aims to establish a centralized databank for evidence-based decision-making across the national education system
• Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa introduces comprehensive data framework to address long-standing challenges in resource allocation and progress measurement

Nigeria’s education system has faced significant challenges due to the absence of a unified and comprehensive data framework, according to Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education.

On Monday at the inauguration of the Implementation Committee for the Nigerian Education Data Initiative (NEDI) in Abuja, Alausa emphasized the urgent need for change.

“For too long, the lack of accurate, centralized data has hindered our ability to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and measure progress,” he stated. “Today, we are saying unequivocally: this must change.”

Alausa described the Nigerian Education Data Initiative as a transformative solution to these challenges. The initiative aims to establish a centralized databank consolidating critical education data nationwide.

“This databank will serve as a foundation for evidence-based decision-making, enabling us to deliver quality education that aligns with the aspirations of every Nigerian child,” he explained.

The minister outlined the project’s timeline, expecting the database to be operational by this year’s second or third quarter.

He noted that while some data already exist in fragmented forms, the initiative will harmonize and analyze them to guide planning and interventions.

The databank will cover various aspects of the education system, including:

• School Infrastructure: Locations, physical facilities, classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and ICT resources.
• Student Records: Demographics, academic performance, and integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) to monitor progress and implement targeted interventions.
• Parental Data: Socioeconomic profiles of parents and guardians.
• Teacher Information: Qualifications, certifications, and years of experience.

The Registrar of the National Examination Council (NECO), Prof. Dantani Wushishi, highlighted NECO’s role in generating annual data from over 1.5 million candidates.

He noted that in 2023, NECO began analyzing candidates’ performance by state, region, and individual results to provide deeper insights into educational outcomes.