PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu amid growing concerns about the rising number of children out of school in the country, has given the approval for the initiation of the DOTS project aimed at revamping the education sector, boosting enrollment rates, and safeguarding the academic future of Nigeria’s youth.
Reports reveal that 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, unveiled this development yesterday in Shabu, a suburb of Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of National Examinations Council offices in Nasarawa, Abia, Sokoto, Taraba, Jigawa, Lagos, and River States.
The minister emphasized that the DOTS project aims to address the lack of organized, verifiable, and genuine data across all facets of the education sector in Nigeria.
Sununu explained that the initiative will enable the Federal Government to monitor students’ progress, thus creating a data-driven approach for interventions, particularly focusing on out-of-school children, girls, and those with specific learning challenges.
He stated that “Out-of-school children represents a major thematic area in the eight points agenda of President Bola Tinubu, with priority focus on social welfare, health and education.
“Mr. President is of the believe that the over 20million out-of-school children we have now, represents 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 group of over 20million 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.
Sununu commended Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, and the other six state governors for their steadfast support in the field of education, expressing optimism that the expansion of NECO offices will enhance the examination body’s service delivery to Nigerians.
NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, highlighted the new state offices as a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
Wushishi emphasized that the upgraded NECO facilities signify a commitment to excellence in examination administration in Nigeria and reflect the government’s infrastructural investments in the education sector.
According to him, the new state offices in Nasarawa, Abia, Sokoto, Taraba, Jigawa, Lagos and Rivers States, alongside other magnificent edifices of NECO, would serve as beacons of excellence in the administration of examinations in 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.”
“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.”
Earlier, while welcoming dignitaries from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and other parts of the country, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Education, Muhammed Bala, reiterated the state government’s commitment to continue to support all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the federal government including the education sector.