Minister of Education Tunji Alausa
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has declared that Nigeria’s education reforms can only succeed through stronger collaboration between the Federal and State Governments and a deliberate shift to data-driven decision-making, describing education as the nation’s most powerful tool for economic growth, national security and sustainable development.
Speaking at the opening of the 5-day executive retreat for commissioners of education, organised by the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education (COSCEN), Dr. Alausa said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed education at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda by providing the political leadership and support needed to pursue bold reforms capable of transforming Nigeria’s education sector.
He stressed that while the Federal Government provides policy direction and strategic interventions, the responsibility for delivering quality education rests largely with the states, making stronger collaboration indispensable to achieving meaningful and lasting reforms.
The Minister commended COSCEN, under the leadership of its Chairman, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, for convening the Executive Retreat, describing it as a timely platform for strengthening strategic leadership, fostering peer learning and deepening cooperation among education stakeholders across the country.
Alausa described the transition from assumption-based planning to evidence-based governance as one of the most significant reforms being implemented in Nigeria’s education sector.
He announced the deployment of the National Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI) and the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS), explaining that the integrated digital platforms will provide real-time information on learner enrolment, teacher deployment, school infrastructure, learning outcomes and other critical indicators required for effective planning, budgeting, monitoring and resource allocation.
He explained that the new digital ecosystem would integrate education data from schools, local governments, states and federal institutions into a single interoperable platform, providing reliable information to guide policy decisions while improving accountability, transparency and service delivery across the sector.
The minister urged all states to complete their Annual School Census using the digitised platform, commending Kaduna and Borno States for their progress while encouraging other states to accelerate implementation.
He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education has already deployed digital dashboards and smart boards to support evidence-based planning, with the National Bureau of Statistics providing additional analytical support to strengthen education planning nationwide.
Alausa also called on Commissioners to take full advantage of the World Bank-supported HOPE Education Programme, which provides $552 million in performance-based financing to states that meet agreed implementation milestones.
He observed that although all 36 states are eligible to benefit from the programme, several are yet to complete critical requirements, including signing Subsidiary Loan Agreements (SLAs), opening designated programme accounts and fulfilling mandatory data reporting obligations.
He urged Commissioners to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education and the World Bank to satisfy the programme-for-results requirements and unlock additional resources for improving access, learning outcomes and education governance.
To sustain reform momentum, the minister proposed that the Council of State Commissioners of Education institutionalise quarterly review meetings to promote peer learning, monitor progress, exchange best practices and strengthen collective accountability across the federation.
Highlighting other priorities under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), Dr. Alausa said the Federal Government is expanding access to affordable digital learning technologies, including offline instructional platforms, comprehensive digital learning resources from primary one to senior secondary school and teacher support tools to improve lesson delivery and classroom instruction.
He, however, cautioned against investing exclusively in expensive smart school infrastructure without adequate provisions for sustainability and maintenance, stressing that quality instructional materials, effective teacher support and conducive learning environments remain the most critical drivers of improved learning outcomes.
The minister reaffirmed that education remains a shared national responsibility that transcends political affiliations and called on all stakeholders to institutionalise reliable education data, strengthen accountability, invest in human capital and sustain collaborative reforms capable of delivering measurable improvements in learning outcomes.
Declaring the retreat open, Dr. Alausa urged commissioners to embrace evidence over assumptions, collaboration over isolation and continuity over fragmented reforms, emphasising that the future prosperity and competitiveness of Nigeria will ultimately depend on the quality of education provided to today’s learners.
In a keynote presentation titled: _“Beyond the Tenure of Commissioners: Sustaining Education Reforms in the Era of Digital Disruption,”_ Former Aviation Minister and Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, Mr. Osita Chidoka, challenged Commissioners to build reforms that outlive political administrations.
He stressed that lasting improvements in education require policy continuity, reliable data, stronger teacher development, accountability and sustained investment in learning outcomes rather than short-term interventions.
Representing the World Bank Country Director, Mr. Matthew Verghis, the Senior Economist and Task Team Leader for the HOPE Education Programme, Mr. Shin Nomura, reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s education reform agenda through the HOPE Education Programme.
He explained that the programme became effective in March 2026 and is designed to improve education governance, financing, teacher development, learning outcomes and data systems through a performance-based financing model.
He urged states to complete all preparatory requirements to enable timely access to programme funding.
