President Bola Tinubu has given a nod the launch of the DOTS project, aiming to revamp the education sector, boost enrolment rates, and secure the academic future of the nation’s children.
This initiative is part of an effort to address the growing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
According to The PUNCH, 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, the Nasarawa State capital, during the ground-breaking ceremony for the National Examinations Council offices in Nasarawa, Abia, Sokoto, Taraba, Jigawa, Lagos, and Rivers States.
Sununu highlighted that the DOTS project aims to address the lack of coordinated, verifiable, and authentic data across all facets of Nigeria’s education sector.
He further detailed that the new initiative would enable the Federal Government to monitor students’ progress, thus providing a data-driven framework for interventions, particularly concerning out-of-school children, girls, and those with specific learning disabilities.
He stated, “Out-of-school children represent a major thematic area in the eight points agenda of President Bola Tinubu, with priority focus on social welfare, health, and education.
“Mr. President believes that the over 20 million out-of-school children we have now represent a group of Nigerians that we have to pay attention to, otherwise miscreants can use them to cause and foment trouble in Nigeria.
“President Tinubu also believes that for Nigeria to develop and continue to take its rightful position in the comity of nations, those groups 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.
Praising the support from Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, and governors from the other six states, Sununu expressed confidence that the new NECO offices would enhance the examination body’s capacity to serve Nigerians better.
NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, described the new state offices as a testament to the Federal Government’s support and commitment under President Tinubu’s leadership.
Wushishi noted that the new offices in Nasarawa, Abia, Sokoto, Taraba, Jigawa, Lagos, and Rivers States, along with other NECO facilities, would symbolize excellence in examination administration in Nigeria.
Expressing gratitude to the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), and the Sangarin of Shabu, HRH Mahammood Bwallah II, for their support, 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.”
“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.”
Welcoming dignitaries from Abuja and other parts of the country, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Education, Muhammed Bala, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting all federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, including the education sector.
