By Ngozi Nwankwo
Federal Government has convened a stakeholder meeting to advance the National Education Data Infrastructure, a platform designed to centralise education data and strengthen planning and accountability in Nigeria’s education sector.
Speaking at the stakeholders meeting, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa said the system addresses longstanding gaps in data that have hindered effective planning, learner tracking and policy implementation.
According to him, already, NEDI has captured data for more than 32 million learners and over 220,000 schools across 21 states.
He said the platform is intended to serve as Nigeria’s single source of truth for education data, supporting evidence-based decision-making, transparency and service delivery at all levels.
Through the National Learner Identity Number linked to the National Identity Number, the Minister said it is also tackling examination malpractice, identity fraud and the operation of “miracle centres.” The system is expected to improve learner tracking from enrolment through to employment.
“Gaps in data have limited effective planning and policy implementation across the sector. Through NEDI, we are changing that,” he said.
The initiative aligns with the six-point agenda of the National Education Sector Reform Initiative and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Alausa described the rollout as the end of “operating blindly” in education planning and said the infrastructure will provide the systems needed to deliver measurable outcomes for students and schools nationwide.
Speaking also , the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim described NEDI as an important tool for promoting inclusive education and strengthening child-focused policies. She noted that reliable education data would enhance support for vulnerable children, improve resource allocation, and advance the goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
