Ondo govt strengthens education data system, trains stakeholders on UBEC digital platform

The Ondo State Government has intensified efforts to improve planning and service delivery in the education sector through a statewide sensitisation and training programme on digital data management under the Universal Basic Education Commission’s (UBEC) Basic Education Management Information System (BEMIS).

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, disclosed this during a programme in Akure, the state capital, saying the initiative aims to strengthen data collection, enhance policy formulation, and ensure efficient allocation of resources across schools in the state.

Ajibefun emphasised that accurate and reliable data remains critical to repositioning the state’s education system for efficiency and long-term development.

Represented by the Director of Inspectorate and Quality Assurance, Prince Olu Obajulaye, the commissioner described education as a central pillar of societal growth, stressing that data-driven decision-making would improve policy formulation, resource allocation, and learning outcomes across schools.

He explained that the BEMIS platform, developed by UBEC, provides a comprehensive database for tracking student enrolment, monitoring teacher performance, and assessing infrastructure needs in both public and private schools.

Ajibefun noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader education reform agenda, particularly the Digital Repository, Out-of-School Children Education, Teacher Training and Development, and Skills Acquisition (DOTS) framework, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s basic education system.

He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to expanding access to quality education, adding that ongoing investments in school renovation, construction of new facilities, and improved learning environments would continue under the current administration.

The Chairman of the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, said the state is prioritising data integrity as a key driver of educational progress, noting that effective implementation of BEMIS would enhance transparency and accountability in the sector.

Represented by Board Member Princess Olufunmilayo Ademulegun-Brown, Olabimtan commended the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for consistently approving counterpart funding required to access UBEC intervention funds, a move he said has boosted infrastructure and resource development in basic education.

He added that dependable education statistics are indispensable for tracking performance, identifying gaps, and improving overall learning outcomes in the state.

Also speaking, the UBEC State Coordinator, Mrs Olanike Adams, urged stakeholders to take the data entry exercise seriously, emphasising the need for collaboration and proper documentation to ensure the credibility of information generated from schools.

The Permanent Secretary of SUBEB, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, stressed the importance of synergy among stakeholders, calling for sustained commitment to accurate and timely data submission to support effective planning and implementation.

In a technical presentation, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr Ayodele Akanle, described BEMIS as a centralised digital system designed to collect, analyse, and report education data from early childhood centres, primary, and junior secondary schools nationwide.

He said the platform would improve efficiency in school administration, data reporting, and infrastructure assessment, ultimately supporting evidence-based decision-making in the education sector.

The training programme, running from March 24 to March 26, is being conducted simultaneously across all 18 local government areas of the state, with designated data officers receiving hands-on training on the use of the platform.

Officials said the exercise is expected to strengthen data collection processes, improve compliance among schools, and ensure that Ondo State maintains a reliable education database for sustainable development.