NIEPA, UNICEF, Enugu State Government Collaborate on Comprehensive Education Reform

The National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Enugu State Government recently embarked on a collaborative mission to establish a comprehensive framework and implementation policy plan for educational reform in the state. The 2-day inception meeting was held on July 23-24, 2025, at Dannic Hotel Enugu, bringing together stakeholders to assess readiness for the development of the State Education Sector Plan (SESP), State Education Sector Operational Plan (SESOP), and Local Education Sector Operational Plan (LESOP).

According to Dr. Sunday Adegbesan, NIEPA-UNICEF Desk Officer, who represented the Institute’s Ag. Director General, Dr. David Shofoyeke, the main purpose of the meeting was to hold consultations with stakeholders to review plans and produce a final working document for the state’s education sector. “This effort is part of NIEPA’s partnership with UNICEF to review and develop state education sector plans in eight focal states in Nigeria,” he said. Adegbesan further noted that this collaboration further entrenches NIEPA’s crucial role in supporting not only the Enugu State Ministry of Education but also other educational organizations in developing their sector plans.

Also speaking at the 2-day meeting, Enugu State Honourable Commissioner for Education, Professor Ndubeze Mbah, emphasized the need for a robust strategic plan to implement various policies and reforms impacting the educational sector. He stated that the Ministry is committed to launching new policies by September 2025, which aims to focus on capacity building for teacher training, curriculum development, assessment practices, and digitization of educational data. The Commissioner further stated that the State Government has demonstrated a strong commitment to education by allocating 33% of its budget to the sector in 2024 and 2025. This investment, according to Mbah, aims to enhance education quality, increase access, and improve infrastructure.

In the same vein, UNICEF education specialist, Dr. Agata Nzeribe, commended the state’s financial commitment to education development, noting that it will help develop strategic plans over the next decade to improve education outcomes. She added that a thorough analysis will follow the meeting to delineate strategic plans aimed at enhancing education within the state.

The meeting attracted dignitaries such as the Chairman, Enugu House of Assembly Committee on Education, directors, heads of departments, civil society organizations, and representatives from both public and private sectors, engendering discussions to chart pathways for educational reforms in Enugu State.

Rounding off the meeting, Mr. Mike Mbah, who serves as the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, expressed gratitude to UNICEF and NIEPA for their support in developing an implementable education sector plan for the state, which aims to provide children and citizens with access to quality, inclusive, and affordable education.