Data released by the Federal Ministry of Education through the DNEMIS platform shows that Nigeria has 213,235 schools nationwide
KaNo —
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to strengthen education planning and delivery across the country with the launch of a centralised digital data system, urging all stakeholders to key into the initiative.
Speaking at the official unveiling of the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS) in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, called on state governments, local government education authorities and private school proprietors to upload their data to the platform.
He described accurate and comprehensive data as indispensable for effective policymaking, improved learning outcomes and sustainable reforms in Nigeria’s education sector.
According to the minister, governments at all levels cannot adequately address the country’s education challenges without credible and up-to-date statistics.
“You have to get the data right. Data allows us to monitor, design interventions, evaluate outcomes and plan proactively for the future. Without accurate data, meaningful development is impossible,” Alausa said.
The DNEMIS platform is designed to serve as Nigeria’s central repository for education data, providing real-time information on schools, enrolment, teachers, classrooms and infrastructure, including computer laboratories, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, as well as electricity supply.
Alausa explained that the system would fundamentally transform how education data is collected, analysed and utilised, enabling authorities to identify gaps, allocate resources efficiently and track progress in real time.
The initiative comes as Nigeria seeks to strengthen planning in one of Africa’s largest education systems, with over 50 million learners spread across thousands of institutions.
Data released by the Federal Ministry of Education through the DNEMIS platform shows that Nigeria has 213,235 schools nationwide. However, only 124,548 schools have so far submitted data, representing a reporting rate of 58.4 per cent.
The platform has captured information on 40,130,454 learners, 1,193,877 teachers, 730,447 classrooms and 607,508 toilets, highlighting both the scale of the education system and the significant gaps that still exist in data coverage.
Education experts have long warned that weak and fragmented data systems have undermined effective policymaking in Nigeria, contributing to poor teacher deployment, uneven distribution of infrastructure and inefficient use of limited resources.
Alausa disclosed that although the project initially faced delays, support from development partners helped accelerate its implementation.
“We were ready to invest whatever it took because without data, we would not know where development is needed. Our partners helped us overcome significant challenges and shortened the implementation timeline considerably,” he said.
The minister also acknowledged the role of ICT experts and international collaborators who worked with Nigeria to build what he described as an integrated and sustainable education information system.
He assured stakeholders that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen partnerships to ensure the platform remains functional, inclusive and beneficial across all levels of the education sector.
Addressing private school operators, Alausa urged them to participate fully in the data collection process, noting that their contribution is critical to producing accurate national education statistics.
“When you saw the demonstration, almost 90 per cent of public school data had been captured, but private schools were only at about 50 per cent. I want to encourage every private school to register and upload its data.
“Do not worry, the government is not collecting this information to tax you. We recognise the critical role private schools play in Nigeria’s education sector,” he said.
He noted that private institutions now account for a significant share of the country’s basic education system, particularly at the junior secondary level.
“Nearly three-quarters of junior secondary schools are privately owned, and that number continues to grow. We need every school to be part of this system because education planning must reflect realities on the ground,” he added.
He also called on state governments to intensify sensitisation efforts and mobilise schools within their jurisdictions to participate in the initiative.
“We are building a system that will support policy decisions, improve accountability and strengthen education delivery across the country. Every stakeholder has a responsibility to ensure the information is complete and accurate,” he said.
The push for a comprehensive education database comes amid growing concerns over Nigeria’s education indicators.
According to UNICEF, Nigeria has about 18.3 million out-of-school children, one of the highest figures globally.
Meanwhile, the World Bank estimates that about 70 per cent of Nigerian children cannot read and understand a simple age-appropriate text by the age of 10, a condition described as “learning poverty.”
In recent months, the Federal Government has introduced reforms aimed at improving foundational literacy and numeracy, expanding digital learning opportunities, strengthening technical and vocational education, and enhancing accountability within the sector.
Officials say the DNEMIS platform will underpin these reforms by providing policymakers with accurate, real-time information needed for effective planning and implementation.
With the launch of the system, the government expressed optimism that improved data collection and management would lead to better resource allocation, targeted interventions and ultimately improved learning outcomes for millions of Nigerian children.
The success of the initiative, however, will depend largely on the willingness of all stakeholders to participate and ensure that the data provided is both complete and accurate.
