The Federal Government has inaugurated a 25-member committee, named the Nigerian Education Data Initiative (NEDI), to build a robust educational database for the country.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, inaugurated the committee yesterday in Abuja.

The minister said the databank would be centralised and harmonised to consolidate all critical education data in the country.

He said the initiative aimed to address out-of-school children and other educational challenges in the country.

The committee was given till the third quarter of 2025 to build the database for the educational sector.

The minister said the databank would not merely house information but serve as the foundation for evidence-based decision-making and policy development.

Alausa explained that it would also foster prompt delivery of quality education that meets the aspirations of every Nigerian child.

The minister noted that for too long, Nigeria?s education system has been hindered by the absence of a unified and comprehensive data framework. He added: ?It has been fragmented and inconsistent with incomplete data, spread across various institutions, agencies, and states.

?This has also impeded our ability to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and measure progress with accuracy.

?Today, we are saying unequivocally that this must change. The Nigerian Education Data Initiative is our bold response to these longstanding challenges.?

Alausa said the roles of the implementation committee would include designing and executing a roadmap for the NEDI objectives to be realised.

Other roles, the minister said, include developing a framework for the Nigerian Education Databank, harmonising data systems across agencies and institutions and ensuring data security, integrity, and confidentiality.

He stressed that the database would encompass a wide range of data categories that would reflect the realities and complexities of the education system.

?This initiative is a game-changer. With accurate, reliable, and accessible data, we will identify gaps and make targeted interventions where they are needed most.

?We will monitor progress in real time and address emerging challenges proactively, foster transparency and accountability in resource allocation and policy implementation,? Alausa added.

According to him, the databank will also provide comprehensive data on school locations, physical infrastructure, and the availability of essential facilities to guide strategic investments, particularly in underserved regions.

Alausa added that it would also provide detailed records of students, including their demographics, academic performance, and the integration of the NIN to foster the monitoring of educational trajectories.

Speaking on behalf of the committee members, NEDI?s Vice Chairman Abubakar Isah assured the minister of the committee?s readiness to carry out its assignment objectively.

He added that the initiative would serve as a beacon of hope and catalyst for change in the education sector. (The Nation)

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