Strengthening Education Data: Kogi Hosts Strategic EMIS Capacity-Building Training
Lokoja, Kogi State
— In a decisive move to enhance the quality and reliability of education data across Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Education, through NEMIS/NEDI, in partnership with UNICEF, has commenced a three-day capacity-building training in Lokoja, Kogi State. The training is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s Education Management Information System (EMIS) in alignment with the Honourable Minister’s national education priorities.
Declaring the training open, the Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, FCIB, expressed satisfaction with the level of attendance and active participation of stakeholders. He described the training as a crucial preparatory step toward the successful conduct of the 2026 annual school census.
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“This training is not just timely, but necessary as a precursor to the 2026 school census,” he stated. “I appreciate the Federal Ministry of Education for organizing this initiative. Kogi State has consistently remained a top performer in school data management. We are effective, efficient, and experienced in this process.”
Reaffirming confidence in the state’s EMIS personnel, the Commissioner added, “I don’t need to tell my people what to do. They already know it, they have been doing it, and they will deliver accurately once again.”
He, however, urged participants to remain attentive throughout the training, noting that new templates and updates may be introduced.
Hon. Jones also expressed delight at the inclusion of private school proprietors in the training, emphasizing the importance of accurate data submission. He noted that compliance could enable private institutions to benefit from government interventions currently enjoyed by public schools, including payment of examination fees at all levels and free education initiatives.
The training features designated EMIS officers drawn from across the state, including 21 Local Government Area EMIS officers—one from each LGA—as well as representatives from key education bodies such as the State Ministry of Education, Senior Secondary Management Board (SSMB), Qur’anic & Islamiyya Schools Management Board (QISSMB), State Agency for Mass Education (SAME), Private & Voluntary Management Board (SPVMB), and the Science & Technical Schools Management Board (STMB).
In its remarks, the Federal Ministry of Education commended the Kogi State Government for its continued cooperation and commitment to educational development. The Ministry expressed confidence that the training would significantly boost the state’s capacity for effective EMIS implementation and contribute to improved education planning and service delivery nationwide.
As the training progresses, stakeholders remain optimistic that the strengthened EMIS framework will provide accurate, timely, and comprehensive data essential for shaping Nigeria’s education sector.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MARCH 31ST 2026)
