National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) has commended the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for its continuous efforts in promoting the right to education for Nigerian children.
The Director General of the Institute, Dr. David Shofoyeke, made the commendation at the opening of a three-day training on Local Education Sector Operational Plan (LESOP) for education managers in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.
Represented by Dr. Grace Omiyale, a Senior Training and Research Fellow of the Institute, the Director General reaffirmed NIEPA’s commitment to driving educational transformation in Nigeria.
Dr. Shofoyeke explained that the development of robust State Education Sector Plans (SESP) and State Education Sector Operational Plans (SESOP) serves as a blueprint for states to clearly define their educational vision and goals.
He noted that the process also enables states to effectively implement interventions within existing policy and resource frameworks.
The Director General however, said that UNICEF has been providing technical support to the development of the documents in eight states and supported the drafting of over 40 local education sector operational plans since 2024.
The Director General, however, said that UNICEF has been providing technical support for the development of education sector documents in eight states and has supported the drafting of over 40 Local Education Sector Operational Plans since 2024.
According to NIEPA, UNICEF has laid the groundwork for evidence-based, gender-transformative, equity and disability-inclusive, as well as crisis and climate change-resilient sector planning in Nigeria.
He further stated that many of the resulting documents now guide education budgeting at the state level, influence programme design and funding priorities, and enhance collaboration with development partners.
Also speaking at the opening of the session, the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Alhaji Muhammed Dahiru, commended the partners for the technical support.
According to him, the Jigawa state government is really committed to working with development partners towards promoting quality education in the state.
Dahiru noted that, one of the important cardinal points of the Namadi administration is educational transformation.
The United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF in collaboration with European Union EU, is supporting Jigawa state to review and draft the state’s education strategic plan.
The intervention is conducted through the UNICEF and EU’s education and youth empowerment programme.
Usman Mohammed Zaria
