Concerned about the increasing rate of out-of-school children in the country, President Bola Tinubu has approved the commencement of the DOTS project. This initiative aims to overhaul the education sector, increase school enrolment, and ensure the academic security of Nigeria’s children.
DOTS stands for Data Repository, Out-of-School Children’s Education, Teacher Training and Development, and Skill Development and Acquisition. The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, made this announcement on Friday in Shabu, a suburb of Lafia, Nasarawa State capital. This was during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new National Examinations Council (NECO) offices in Nasarawa, Abia, Sokoto, Taraba, Jigawa, Lagos, and Rivers States.
Dr. Sununu emphasized that the DOTS project aims to address the lack of coordinated, verifiable, and authentic data in Nigeria’s education sector. He further explained that the new initiative would enable the Federal Government to track student progress, creating a data-driven mechanism for interventions, especially for out-of-school children, girls, and those with specific learning disabilities.
“Out-of-school children represent a major thematic area in the eight-point agenda of President Bola Tinubu, with a priority focus on social welfare, health, and education,” Sununu stated. He highlighted the president’s concern about the over 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, emphasizing the need to bring them back to school to prevent them from becoming potential sources of social unrest.
“President Tinubu also believes that for Nigeria to develop and continue to take its rightful position in the comity of nations, those group of over 20 million citizens must be returned back to school, and ensure that they get proper education and the necessary skills to make them self-efficient and relevant in the society,” the minister added.
Dr. Sununu commended the governors of the seven states, including Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, for their continuous support of the educational sector. He expressed confidence that the seven new NECO offices would enhance the examination body’s capacity to serve the Nigerian people better.
Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, described the project as a testament to the Federal Government’s support and commitment under President Tinubu’s leadership. According to him, the new state offices, along with other NECO buildings, would symbolize excellence in exam administration across Nigeria.
While expressing his gratitude to the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), and the Sangarin of Shabu, HRH Mahammood Bwallah II, for their royal support for the project, Wushishi said, “This project is a direct outcome of the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructural development within the education sector and is therefore part of the seven capital projects captured for NECO in this year’s budget appropriation.”
Prof. Wushishi emphasized NECO’s vision of becoming a leader in exam administration and a catalyst for educational transformation in Nigeria. He said, “As we look to the future, we envision a NECO that is not only a leader in the administration of examinations but also a catalyst for education transformation in Nigeria. We are committed to leveraging technology and innovation to improve the quality and accessibility of our services.”
In his welcome address, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Education, Muhammed Bala, reiterated the state government’s commitment to supporting all federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, including those in the education sector.
The DOTS project marks a significant step in addressing the educational challenges in Nigeria. By focusing on data collection, out-of-school education, teacher training, and skill development, the initiative aims to create a more robust and inclusive educational system. President Tinubu’s administration, with the support of state governments and educational bodies like NECO, is poised to make significant strides in reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving the quality of education across the country.
