Ondo State and Federal Government Champion Digital Transformation in Education
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has emphasized the importance of quality, functional, and affordable education as a fundamental pillar for sustainable development and national progress. During the opening ceremony of the 69th National Council on Education (NCE) meeting at The Dome in Akure, he highlighted that education is a key driver of national renewal, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Aiyedatiwa welcomed education stakeholders from across the country and commended the President for expanding access to quality education through initiatives like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which has supported over 624,000 students nationwide. He stressed that quality education data is essential for an effective education system, enabling tracking of progress and evaluation of interventions to ensure every learner receives functional education.
He also emphasized the need to restore the dignity of teaching, recognizing it as one of the oldest and most noble professions. Aiyedatiwa noted that the theme of the meeting, “Quality Education Data and Professionalisation of Teaching: Tools for Enhanced National Development,” is both timely and relevant, aligning with global education goals under UNESCO’s Education 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4).
Ondo State’s Achievements in Education
Under Aiyedatiwa’s administration, Ondo State has made significant strides in education. These include:
- Annual payment of WASSCE and NABTEB fees for students.
- Recruitment and training of over 2,100 teachers.
- Provision of 8,000 learners’ desks and 6,000 teachers’ furniture.
- Massive renovation of classrooms, laboratories, and libraries across the state.
The state has also paid counterpart funds up to 2024 to access UBEC/SUBEB grants, introduced free school shuttle buses and boats, and established a Youth Skills Development Centre with ICT-based training. Ondo State currently operates more than 1,285 public primary schools, 315 public secondary schools, and three state-owned universities, reflecting a commitment to access and inclusiveness.
Aiyedatiwa assured continued investment in digital learning, teacher development, and STEM/STEAM education to prepare learners for the global knowledge economy.
Federal Government’s Reforms in Education
In his remarks, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, outlined the federal government’s sweeping reforms aimed at digitizing Nigeria’s education system, improving data accuracy, and professionalizing teaching in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He emphasized that education is not merely a social service but a strategic investment, serving as the foundation for economic growth, social cohesion, and national stability. Quality education data and professionalized teaching are described as twin pillars for sustainable national development.
The minister disclosed that the Federal Executive Council approved the establishment of the National Education Repository and Databank (NERD), a digital platform designed to store, verify, and coordinate academic records across the country. Two major components of the NERD system — the National Credential Verification System (NCVS) and the National Academic Document Digitisation Service — are already operational.
The NCVS assigns every certificate a unique National Credential Number and secure QR code for instant verification. These innovations aim to transform the integrity of the education system by eliminating certificate fraud and plagiarism, while promoting transparency and global recognition of Nigerian credentials.
Digital Education Management Information System
The minister also announced the rollout of the Digital Nigerian Education Management Information System (DNEMIS), which will digitally capture and track learners from basic to tertiary levels. Twenty-one states have already started uploading their data into the DNEMIS platform, with collaboration ongoing with the National Identity Management Commission to assign every learner a National Identification Number.
Curriculum reform has also been a focus, with the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curricula revised to incorporate 21st-century skills such as digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and citizenship education. The number of subjects has been reduced to make learning more focused and meaningful, with improved learning outcomes expected to meet national expectations.
Infrastructure and Tertiary Education Reforms
In infrastructure development, the ministry has built 4,900 classrooms, renovated 3,000, and established 34 model schools within six months, benefiting over 2.3 million learners nationwide. Tertiary education reforms have also advanced, with the establishment of two new Federal Universities of Health Sciences in Zamfara and Ogun States, and the introduction of the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), through which 9,000 staff have already benefited.
The minister concluded by reiterating that education is the heartbeat of development and the most powerful weapon for national renewal, urging that every Nigerian child, from the remotest village to the largest city, receives quality education that empowers, uplifts, and transforms.