The National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) is collaborating with UNICEF to formulate education sector plans for Bauchi State and several other pilot states, including Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Cross-River, Katsina, and Gombe across the country. This initiative aims to tackle the distinctive challenges specific to these states and leverage their educational strengths.

Dr. Shofoyeke Adebiyi, the acting Director-General of NIEPA, revealed this during a five-day training session held in Bauchi for education managers from the eight states benefiting from the initiative.

“It is with great pleasure that I announce our partnership with UNICEF in crafting Education Sector Plans for eight states across Nigeria. These states face distinct challenges and opportunities within the education sector, and through our collaboration, we aim to address them comprehensively and strategically,” Dr. Adebiyi remarked.

“The initial phase of our endeavor, which is the ongoing training, focuses on equipping EMIS, education managers from the states with knowledge in evidence-based, gender transformative, equity, and disability-inclusive education,” he added.

“Our approach will be all-encompassing, tackling issues such as improving access to education, reducing the number of out-of-school children, fostering disability inclusiveness, enhancing teaching quality and learning management efficiency, infrastructure development, teacher training, curriculum enhancement, as well as engaging stakeholders and securing funding,” he emphasized.

The acting Director-General, represented by the UNICEF desk officer, Dr. Sunday Adegbesan, encouraged participants to diligently pursue the project’s objectives, emphasizing the importance of providing children with quality education to unleash their full potential.

In addition, Mr. Raphael Aiyedepe, the Field Officer for UNICEF in Bauchi, reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at improving the education sector across states in Nigeria.