The Federal Ministry of Education has disclosed that no fewer than 32 million students have so far been captured under its emerging Nigerian Education Data Infrastructure, a centralised platform designed to transform data management across the country’s education system.

Information published on the Ministry’s Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative portal sighted by our correspondent on Saturday indicated that the data currently spans 221,229 schools across 21 states.

The NEDI platform is being developed as a comprehensive repository to support the collection, storage and retrieval of data from basic to tertiary levels.

As part of its framework, the platform integrates datasets from key education agencies and bodies, including the Universal Basic Education Commission, the National Education Management Information System Annual School Census, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

Examination bodies, such as the West African Examinations Council, the National Examinations Council, and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, are also expected to contribute to the system.

A central feature of the initiative is the introduction of a National Learner Identity Number, which will assign a unique identifier to each student throughout their academic journey, ensuring continuity and accuracy in record-keeping.

This development followed the Federal Government’s inauguration of a 25-member committee on January 27, 2025, to oversee the establishment of NEDI and develop a harmonised, centralised databank.

The government has also earmarked one per cent of the annual allocation of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to support the sustainability of the project.

At the inauguration in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated that the initiative was conceived to address the longstanding challenges associated with fragmented and inconsistent data across the sector.

Alausa noted that the absence of a unified framework had hindered effective planning, resource allocation and accurate measurement of progress in the education system.

According to him, the databank will serve as a foundation for evidence-based decision-making, enabling the government to identify gaps, make targeted interventions, and monitor progress in real time.

He added that the system would also promote transparency and accountability in policy implementation, while guiding strategic investments, particularly in underserved areas.

The minister said, “This initiative is a game-changer. With accurate, reliable, and accessible data, we will identify gaps and make targeted interventions where they are needed most.

“We will monitor progress in real time and address emerging challenges proactively, foster transparency and accountability in resource allocation and policy implementation.”