NIEPA, UNICEF Strengthen Partnership for Education Development

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Education Specialist, Mr. Ibraheem Saka, paid a 2-day Programmatic Monitoring visit to the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) to assess the progress and impact of their partnership in developing education sector plans and capacity building initiatives. Receiving the UNICEF Specialist, NIEPA-UNICEF Desk Officer, Dr. Sunday Adegbesan, led Mr. Saka to the Office of the Director General and Chief Executive of NIEPA, where he was warmly welcomed by the Institute’s management. After a brief exchange of pleasantries and banter, Acting Director General of the Institute, Dr. David Shofoyeke, expressed gratitude to the visitor for UNICEF’s partnership over the years, which has resulted in improved capacity and sustainability amongst staff, leading to skill development and certification.

Dr. Shofoyeke highlighted the Institute’s training capabilities, reiterating its ability to host and accommodate over 80 participants in its guest rooms, with fully built and well-equipped training halls. He appealed for more sponsorship and collaboration to further enhance NIEPA’s programs and impact. Furthermore, Dr. Shofoyeke noted that the partnership between both organizations has also had a significant impact on the country as a whole, particularly in respective states, resulting in better-developed and improved education sector plans, including State Education Sector Plans (SESP), State Education Sector Operational Plans (SESOP), and Local Education Sector Operational Plans (LESOP). These plans, according to Dr. Shofoyeke, serve as a crucial guide for governments towards comprehensive framework and implementation policy plans.

Responding to the Acting Director General, Mr. Saka Ibraheem commended NIEPA’s efforts and progress towards developing the education sector workforce. He noted that he had stumbled upon the ongoing National Quality Assurance Conference in the Institute, which he stated had a theme that aligns with the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa’s drive towards digitalization of the education sector. The theme, “Driving Excellence: Innovation and Best Practices in Education Quality Assurance in the 21st Century,” resonated with Mr. Saka. “I commend the Minister’s achievement in digitalizing the Annual School Census, transitioning from manual to cloud-based data collection,” Mr. Saka said. “This is a significant step towards improving data-driven decision-making in the education sector. Digitalization of data collection will not only enhance the accuracy and timeliness of data but also enable policymakers to track progress and identify areas for improvement. I am impressed by NIEPA’s efforts in promoting quality assurance and digitalization in education, and I believe that this aligns perfectly with UNICEF’s goals of supporting the development of the education sector in Nigeria.”

Mr. Saka further stated, “As part of my visit, I am here to ensure that the resources committed by UNICEF are being utilized effectively and efficiently. I am pleased to note that NIEPA has demonstrated a high level of commitment and expertise in implementing our joint programs, including the development of State Education Sector Plans (SESP), State Education Sector Operational Plans (SESOP), and Local Education Sector Operational Plans (LESOP). I look forward to continued collaboration and support to achieve our goals in the education sector.”

NIEPA’s Registrar, Dr. Festus Olaolu, thanked Mr. Saka for the partnership and support, assuring that NIEPA will continue to leverage the collaboration to achieve its mandate of promoting effective educational planning and administration in Nigeria. In a special gesture, Mr. Saka was decorated by the Registrar as an Honorary Member of the Institute’s Body of Planners and Managers, in recognition of his contributions to the development of educational planning and administration in Nigeria.