The Ondo State government has intensified efforts to strengthen education planning and delivery through a statewide sensitisation and training on the Universal Basic Education Commission’s Basic Education Management Information System (BEMIS).
Disclosing this in Akure, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said accurate and reliable data is critical to effective policy formulation, resource allocation and improved learning outcomes.
Represented by the Director of Inspectorate and Quality Assurance, Prince Olu Obajulaye, he described education as a key driver of development, noting that the BEMIS platform will enable authorities to track student enrolment, monitor teacher performance and assess infrastructure needs across public and private schools.
He explained that the BEMIS platform, developed by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), provides a comprehensive database for tracking student enrolment, monitoring teacher performance and assessing infrastructure needs in both public and private schools.
Ajibefun noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader education reform agenda, particularly the Digital Repository, Out-of-School Children Education, Teacher Training and Development, and Skills Acquisition (DOTS) framework aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s basic education system.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to expanding access to quality education, adding that ongoing investments in school renovation, construction of new facilities and improved learning environments would be sustained under the current administration.
The Chairman of the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, while speaking, said the state is prioritising data integrity as a key driver of educational progress, noting that effective implementation of BEMIS would enhance transparency and accountability in the sector.
Represented by Board Member, Princess Olufunmilayo Ademulegun-Brown, Olabimtan commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for consistently approving counterpart funding required to access UBEC intervention funds, a move he said has boosted infrastructure and resource development in basic education.
He added that dependable education statistics are indispensable for tracking performance, identifying gaps and improving overall learning outcomes in the state.
Also speaking, the UBEC State Coordinator, Mrs. Olanike Adams, urged stakeholders to take the data entry exercise seriously, emphasising the need for collaboration and proper documentation to ensure the credibility of information generated from schools.
Permanent Secretary of SUBEB, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, stressed the importance of synergy among stakeholders, calling for sustained commitment to accurate and timely data submission to support effective planning and implementation.
In a technical presentation, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Ayodele Akanle described BEMIS as a centralised digital system designed to collect, analyse and report education data from early childhood centres, primary and junior secondary schools nationwide.
He said the platform would improve efficiency in school administration, data reporting and infrastructure assessment, ultimately supporting evidence-based decision-making in the education sector.
The training programme, which runs from March 24 to March 26, is being conducted simultaneously across all 18 local government areas of the state, with designated data officers receiving hands-on training on the use of the platform.