By Onomiguren Agbamu
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has identified the importance of data collection in problem solving, informed decision-making and teachers’ effectiveness in education.
The Governor stated this during the 84th Joint Consultative Committee on Education ( JCCE), Plenary Meeting, on Monday, 4th August 2025.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, also bemoaned the lack of data collection and analysis, describing it as bane of quality education across board.
Oborevwori also identified that delivering quality education, which is largely a function of teaching excellence, could be a mirage without robust data collection and analysis in solving critical problems, informed decision-making, teacher effectiveness, education innovation, and subsequently, better education outcomes.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Sir. Monday Onyeme, charged the participants at the 84th JCCE plenary meeting to produce policy decisions that will elevate Nigeria to new heights of academic excellence, equity, and socio-economic prosperity.
He noted that data helps governments, educators, school administrators, and regulators to monitor trends, interrogate assumptions, and identify areas of need, whether in terms of education infrastructure or professional teacher development programmes.
The Governor, while describing the theme of the programme , “Quality Education Data and Professionalization of Teaching : A Tool for Enhanced National Development,” said it was apt and lending credence to the unanimous conclusion that “one of our major drawbacks as a nation is the absence of data in virtually all sectors of the national economy.”
Emphasizing that the policy thrust of his administration in the education sector remains to provide the highest quality education in a safe and supportive environment, the governor affirmed that “our goal is to ensure that our students are given the best possible opportunities to acquire the right tools to be global leaders.”
Said Oborevwori: “With strong emphasis on science , vocational, and technical education, our focus is on harnessing the power of technology to empower our children with rigorous, high-quality, customized education necessary for them to thrive in the global market place.”
In his remarks, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, noted that, by ensuring data-driven policy formulation and encouraging a highly competent teaching workforce, there will be enhanced educational outcomes with remarkable impacts on human capital development quotient
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry who also doubles as the JCCE Chair, Mr. Abel Enitan, the Education Minister, who noted that education is the backbone of any progressive society, urged all stakeholders in the sector to harness it’s potential for national development by focusing on two fundamental , to wit, quality education data and professionalization of teaching
In his welcome address on behalf of the steering committee , the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Nyerhovwo Tonukari, said Delta’s hosting of the all important event aligns with her shared resolve to help transform the educational landscape in Nigeria
Highpoints of the opening ceremony which was attended by the Steering Committee Chairman and Commissioner for Primary Education , Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, Commissioners of Secondary and Technical Education, Mrs. Rosemary Ezewu and Mr. Smart Ufoh, respectively , as well as the Humanitarian support services Commissioner , Otode Uduaghan, state Head of Service , Dr. Mrs. Minimin Oseji, representatives of the Teachers Registration Council, National Teachers lnstitute , the Secretary General of the Nigeria Union of Teachers , SUBEB and PPEB Chairmen , Hon Msrierie and Dr. Tibi , respectively , as well as Permanent Secretaries from the participating states , was the unveiling of Delta State,s Roadmap on Technical Education from 2026 to 2030, preceded by an inspiring talk show from students of Government Model Secondary School and Model Technical College, both in Asaba.
The 84th Joint Consultative Committee on Education (JCCE) Plenary meeting, being hosted by Delta State, is expected to round off on Friday, August 8, 2025, with a communiqué to be issued after the exhaustive four-day technical session that will lighten up a road map for quality education data and professionalization of teaching tools for enhanced national development,” the theme of the meeting.
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