Education stakeholders in Kogi State have expressed strong support for the 2025/2026 Annual School Census as the Ministry of Education commenced the exercise through the Federal Government’s Digital Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS) platform.
The commitment was made on Monday during a sensitisation programme held at the Government House in Lokoja, ahead of the official commencement of data collection scheduled for June 24.
Participants at the meeting included representatives of education agencies, non-governmental organisations, former commissioners, media professionals, religious groups, and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Discussions focused on preparations for comprehensive statewide data gathering and the transition from manual reporting methods to a digital system.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, described the school census as a vital tool for generating accurate statistics needed for education planning, policy formulation, and effective allocation of resources.
Jones explained that under the DNEMIS framework, every school would be assigned a unique 10-digit identification number, while learners would receive individual Learner Identification Numbers (LIN), which would be connected to examination records maintained by WAEC and NECO.
According to him, possession of a LIN would become essential for students seeking to benefit from government-backed educational programmes and interventions.
The commissioner also commended Governor Ahmed Ododo for prioritising education through the allocation of 30 per cent of the state’s annual budget to the sector.
He noted that substantial government resources are committed yearly to school rehabilitation projects, examination fee payments, infrastructure development, and the payment of teachers’ salaries.
Jones stressed that maintaining the current level of budgetary support for education was critical and explained that accurate census data would justify continued investment in the sector.
He warned that schools that fail to submit their data could contribute to inaccurate records and underrepresentation of the state’s educational needs.
Several stakeholders who addressed the gathering praised the initiative and emphasised the importance of reliable education statistics.
Former Commissioner for Education, Rosemary Osikoya, observed that effective systems depend on strong structures and proper record-keeping.
She noted that some private school operators often fail to provide complete information because of concerns about taxation, while many administrators of non-formal learning and vocational training centres do not maintain adequate records.
Osikoya maintained that accurate data remains essential for attracting funding and ensuring effective planning within the education sector.
She encouraged schools to verify and update their information on the Kogi Education EMIS platform.
Also speaking, Ambassador Idris Muraina of the Kogi NGO Network described data as a crucial element of sustainable development, while NSCDC representative DCC Ekigwe Raymond called for stronger collaboration among school authorities, local communities, and security agencies to ensure safe learning environments.
Representatives of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools and the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools commended the ministry for involving private institutions in key educational programmes and policy implementation.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Albert Alabi, highlighted the importance of generating quality and reliable data that can support informed decision-making.
Director of Educational Planning, Research and Statistics, Animoku Elizabeth, acknowledged that while the Annual School Census remains an important exercise, challenges such as incomplete submissions, resistance from stakeholders, and low participation rates still exist.
She clarified that the objective of the census is to support planning, research, and policy development rather than taxation.
Elizabeth said public awareness campaigns would continue to demonstrate the benefits of accurate data collection in improving educational outcomes and resource distribution.
She disclosed that training programmes for school data officers would begin with Lokoja Local Government Area before expanding to other parts of the state.
According to her, advocacy meetings are scheduled for June 19 in Kabba for the Western Zone, June 22 in Okene for Kogi Central, and June 23 in Anyigba for Kogi East.
She confirmed that the 2025/2026 Annual School Census will officially begin across the state on June 24.
