Athena Centre Advocates Data-Driven Governance in Nigeria’s Education System
Abuja, Nigeria – 25 September 2025
On 24 September 2025, the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, hosted a landmark virtual educational conference: From Data to Decisions: Adopting Technology to Improve School Administration and Learning Outcomes in Nigeria.
The conference drew over 300 participants, including Commissioners of Education from the 36 states and the FCT, SUBEB chairpersons, academics, and administrators from public and private schools across the country.
Dr. Wendy Hanasky, a leading expert in instructional technology and AI-driven workforce development, delivered the keynote address, facilitated by the U.S. Embassy. She highlighted how digital tools can reduce administrative workload, improve decision-making through real-time analytics, and strengthen communication across the education ecosystem.
Panelists—including Alex Onyia (CEO, Educare), Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe (Former Commissioner for Education, Edo State, represented by Mr. Imoukhuede), and Mr. Abba Saidu (Executive Director, Glisten Academy)—shared practical experiences and local innovations that enriched the discussion.
In his opening remarks, Athena Centre Chancellor Osita Chidoka highlighted the governance gaps in Nigerian education: “Without real-time, reliable data, we are planning education in the dark. By contrast, systems such as the Montgomery County Public School system in Maryland, United States, use detailed report cards to inform policy, allocate resources, and ensure accountability.”
Encouragingly, some states are already showing promise. Ogun State, through its DiPER platform, is leading with a scalable digital backbone, while Ondo, Kebbi, Plateau, Anambra, and Enugu are steadily progressing. These examples demonstrate that transformation is possible.
To build on this progress and ensure orderly growth and optimal results, the Centre recommends:
- Establishing national standards for technology adoption to ensure interoperability and seamless system integration.
- Securing dedicated funding at both national and state levels to sustain reforms.
- Refocusing on instruction quality, learning outcomes, and resource optimisation to ensure technology delivers tangible results.
“Nigeria cannot continue planning education in the dark. With technology, we can reverse declining outcomes, school by school, state by state, and build an education system worthy of our children’s future. Together, we can move from data to decisions,” added Chidoka.