NMEC Chief Calls for Homegrown Data to Guide Nigeria's Education Sector
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), Prof. Musa Maitafsir, has strongly advocated for the generation of homegrown data to steer Nigeria's education sector, moving away from dependence on externally sourced statistics. Prof. Maitafsir made this call during a one-day stakeholders meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja, which focused on enhancing strategic collaboration between state education agencies and NMEC to eradicate illiteracy, advance vocational education, and improve data credibility in the non-formal education sub-sector.
Critique of External Data Sources
Prof. Maitafsir expressed significant concerns about Nigeria's reliance on data from international organizations such as the World Bank and UNESCO. He noted that these external reports often portray Nigeria in a negative light and may not fully capture the country's educational progress and on-the-ground realities. According to him, it is time for Nigeria to take ownership of its data narrative by prioritizing credible, locally generated statistics that offer a more balanced and accurate reflection of the sector.
Advocacy for National Institutions
He emphasized that key national bodies like the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) possess the necessary capacity and contextual understanding to produce reliable data. Strengthening these institutions and promoting their outputs as primary reference points would not only enhance policy formulation but also project a more authentic image of Nigeria's educational development. This shift, he argued, is crucial for evidence-based planning and decision-making in areas such as mass literacy and adult education.
NMEC's Initiative for Independent Data Generation
Prof. Maitafsir further revealed that NMEC is set to commence the independent generation of its own data as part of efforts to reduce dependence on external sources. This initiative aims to ensure that data used for policy formulation accurately reflects local realities, enabling the Commission to better track progress, identify gaps, and design targeted interventions. He highlighted that Directors of State Agencies for Education (SAME) will play a central role in this process, given their proximity to grassroots realities and oversight of implementation at the state level.
Emphasis on Data Integrity and Professionalism
However, the NMEC boss cautioned participants against data falsification, stressing that accuracy and integrity must guide the entire exercise. He warned that unreliable or distorted data could undermine policy decisions, misguide resource allocation, and hinder progress in the education sector. In separate presentations, Dr. Babajide Williams, Acting Director of the Network Department, and Dr. John Edeh, Director of the Literacy Department, urged participants to embrace professionalism, accuracy, and consistency in data collection and reporting. They emphasized the need for modern data management tools and methodologies to enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and ensure uniformity across states, underscoring that reliable data is the backbone of effective policy implementation.
