The Federal Ministry of Education has unveiled a plan to advance Nigeria’s education sector beyond traditional Western education through digital transformation.
This was announced during a courtesy visit by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) officials to the Ministry in Abuja, where Dr. Maruf Alausa, Minister of Education, highlighted key initiatives to enhance education delivery in the country.
The Minister explains that the Ministry is adopting a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) to ensure streamlined efforts, eliminate duplication, and maximise the impact of resources.
The Minister also emphasies the integration of Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) into a unified digital platform to enhance data sharing and analysis across the sector. “Education must transcend traditional Western models to address the unique needs of all children, including those in Almajiri schools. Through localised data collection and strategic collaboration, we can make education more inclusive and impactful,” Dr. Alausa says.
Dr. Maruf Alausa, Minister of Education.
Education Ministry adopts Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) to drive digital transformation
“Our clear roadmap includes initiatives such as the National ICT for Education Framework (NITA) and the Delivering on Targets System (DOTS), focusing on six core priorities: teacher training, skills development, data collection, digitalization, quality assurance, and gender-inclusive education,” Dr. Alausa says.
The Minister also emphasies the integration of Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) into a unified digital platform to enhance data sharing and analysis across the sector. “Education must transcend traditional Western models to address the unique needs of all children, including those in Almajiri schools. Through localised data collection and strategic collaboration, we can make education more inclusive and impactful,” Dr. Alausa says.
Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, UNESCO’s Head and Representative in Abuja, underscores the organisation’s continued support for Nigeria’s education sector, while highlighting ongoing projects such as the EU-funded teacher development programme in six states. This also includes the Korea-funded Better Education for Africa’s Rise (BEAR) initiative, which focuses on strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). He calls for “stronger collaboration to achieve Nigeria’s educational goals before 2030,” emphasising UNESCO’s role as a convenor and technical partner in driving integrated strategies like SWAP.
Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad, Minister of State for Education, stresses the importance of aligning UNESCO’s interventions with Nigeria’s national priorities. According to her, “there is a need for a holistic approach to teacher quality, including training, deployment, and welfare, while also stressing the significance of diversifying Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) beyond agriculture.”
Dr. Lateef Olagunju, Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO, spoke of the capacity of the organisation to provide technical support, which includes financial support to tackle educational challenges. He points out a recent success where financial assistance was secured for flood-affected communities in Borno State.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to hold National Education Group (NEG) meetings every two months. This frequent engagement aims to harness validated data, align resources effectively, and ensure targeted interventions.
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