The first-ever National Education Quality Assurance Policy Committee Meeting is underway at the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, from September 2 to 4. The event is organised by the Federal Education Quality Assurance Service Department of the Federal Ministry of Education.
Declaring the meeting open, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa — represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abel Enitan — said the theme, “Improving Education Quality Assurance Policies, Processes, and Practices in Nigeria”, is both timely and critical. He emphasised the need to move beyond access to education and prioritise quality, stressing that the committee was conceived as a strategic intervention to reposition education quality assurance as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s national agenda.
Enitan explained that the committee’s role is to review and strengthen policies, processes, and practices that ensure quality in basic and secondary education. He highlighted plans to harmonise regulations, improve monitoring and evaluation systems, and leverage technology for real-time data collection, especially to benefit schools in underserved areas.
The Director of the Federal Education Quality Assurance Service Department, Adegboye Adekunle, said the committee’s establishment followed extensive peer reviews, stakeholder engagement, and deliberations. He noted that challenges such as disparities in learning outcomes, outdated curricula, teacher welfare, and infrastructure deficits must be urgently addressed. He also called for alignment of education with 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy.
NTI Director-General, Prof. Sadiya Sani-Daura, in a goodwill message delivered on her behalf, expressed delight in hosting the maiden meeting. She expressed optimism that the deliberations would generate strategies to strengthen Nigeria’s education quality assurance framework.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Abubakar Usman-Zaria, Director-General of the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, while other papers were presented by quality assurance directors from Benue State and various other states.
The three-day meeting brought together education stakeholders, including representatives of international partners, quality assurance directors, and policymakers, to chart a new course for strengthening Nigeria’s education sector.