Dutse, October 17, 2025
National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), has commended the efforts of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), for advancing the Rights to education of the Nigerian children.
The Director General of the Institute, Dr. David Shofoyeke, made the commendation at the opening of a 3-day training for local education sector operational plan (LESOP), for education Managers in Dutse, Jigawa state on Monday.
Represented by Dr Grace Omiyale, a Senior Training and Research Fellow of the Institute, the DG reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to educational transformationmin Nigeria.
According to him, “The development of robust State Education Sector Plan(SESP) and State Education Sector Operational Plan (SESOP)documents provides a blue print for states to articulate their education vision.
“It is also through the process that the states will operationalize interventions within the policy and resource environment,” the Shofoyeke explained.
The DG however, revealed that UNICEF has been providing technical support to the development of the documents in eight states and supported the drafting of over 40 Local eEducation Sector Operational Plans (LESOP) since 2024.
UNICEF according to NIEPA, has laid the ground work for evidence-based, gender transformative, equity/disability inclusive and crisis/climate change resilient sector planning in Nigeria.
He further revealed that many of the resulting documents now guide education budgeting at state levels, influences program design, funding priorities and engaging development partners.
Mr Shofoyeke further commended the Jigawa state government for their commitment to data-driven education reform.
Also speaking at the opening of the session, Mr Muhammed Dahiru, Permanent Secretary, Jigawa state Ministry for Higher Education, Science and Technology, commended the partners for the technical support.
He said that the Jigawa state government is really committed to working with developemntdevelopment partners towards promoting quality education in the state.
According to him, “one of the important cardinal points of the Namadi administration is educational transformation.
It was gathered that 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 (EYE) Programme.
Aisha Ahmed ✍ from Dutse
