NUT ends industrial action after security review while Federal Government launches digital education platform to improve planning, accountability and learning outcomes nationwide.
By Angela Unigbe & Baron Eloagu | July 1, 2026
IBADAN/ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Oyo State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has suspended its indefinite strike action triggered by the abduction of schoolchildren in Ogbomosho, following renewed security assurances from the state government and consultations with key stakeholders.
The development came as the Federal Government launched an ambitious nationwide digital education database designed to transform education planning through real-time data collection, while urging state governments, local education authorities and private school proprietors to fully participate in the initiative.
The twin developments underscore the growing attention being paid to two critical challenges confronting Nigeria’s education sector—school security and data-driven policymaking—as authorities seek to improve learning outcomes for more than 50 million learners across the country.
Oyo Teachers Return to Classrooms After Security Review
In a statement jointly signed on Wednesday by Oyo State NUT Chairman, Hassan Fatai, and Secretary, Olukayode Salami, the union announced the suspension of its industrial action after reviewing the prevailing security situation across the state.
According to the union, the decision followed extensive consultations with the Oyo State Government and appeals from education stakeholders who urged teachers to resume academic activities.
The strike had been declared in response to the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Ogbomosho, located in Orire Local Government Area, an incident that heightened fears over the safety of pupils and teachers in schools across the state.
The union had demanded stronger security measures before members could safely return to classrooms.
With the suspension of the strike, public schools affected by the industrial action are expected to reopen immediately, allowing academic activities to resume.
School Security Remains a National Concern
Although the union has returned to work, education stakeholders continue to express concern over recurring attacks on schools, particularly in parts of northern and central Nigeria where kidnappings have disrupted learning over the past decade.
Security analysts argue that improving school safety requires sustained investment in surveillance infrastructure, intelligence gathering, community policing and rapid emergency response systems.
Recent attacks on educational institutions have reinforced calls for governments at all levels to strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative and implement comprehensive security protocols to protect learners and education personnel.
Federal Government Launches Digital Education Management System
Meanwhile, in Abuja, the Federal Government officially launched the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS), describing the platform as a major reform aimed at improving evidence-based education planning across Nigeria.
Speaking during the unveiling, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said reliable education data is essential for effective policymaking, infrastructure planning, teacher deployment and improved learning outcomes.
According to the minister, governments cannot adequately solve educational challenges without credible and up-to-date statistics.
“You have to get the data right. Data allows us to monitor, design interventions, evaluate outcomes and plan proactively for the future. Without accurate data, meaningful development is impossible,” Alausa said.
One Central Database for Nigeria’s Education System
The DNEMIS platform is designed to serve as Nigeria’s central repository for education information, providing real-time data on schools, teachers, learners, classrooms and critical infrastructure.
The digital platform captures information on:
- Public and private schools
- Student enrolment
- Teachers and workforce distribution
- Classrooms
- Computer laboratories
- Water, sanitation and hygiene facilities
- Electricity supply
- Other infrastructure needed for effective education planning
Officials say the platform will enable governments at all levels to identify infrastructure deficits, allocate resources more efficiently and monitor progress in the education sector.
Millions of Learners Already Captured
According to data released by the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria currently has 213,235 schools, but only 124,548 institutions have so far submitted information to the digital platform, representing a 58.4 percent reporting rate.
The database presently contains records for:
- 40,130,454 learners
- 1,193,877 teachers
- 730,447 classrooms
- 607,508 toilet facilities
The government believes expanding participation will significantly improve planning and resource allocation nationwide.
Private Schools Asked to Join Without Fear
The Minister appealed directly to private school owners to register on the national platform, assuring them that the exercise is not intended to increase taxation.
According to him, private schools now account for a substantial proportion of Nigeria’s basic education sector and must be included if the country is to produce accurate education statistics.
He noted that nearly three-quarters of junior secondary schools are privately owned, making their participation indispensable for national planning.
The government currently estimates that about 90,000 public schools have already uploaded their information, while participation among private institutions remains considerably lower.
Development Partners Support Digital Reform
Alausa acknowledged the support provided by several international development partners whose technical and financial assistance accelerated implementation of the digital platform.
Among those recognised were:
- World Bank
- European Union
- UNICEF
- The Government of Norway
- Other international education development partners
The minister pledged continued collaboration to ensure the platform remains sustainable, inclusive and accessible nationwide.
NBS to Integrate National Statistics
Director-General of the National Bureau of Statistics, Semiu Adeniran, announced that the agency would integrate its statistical systems with DNEMIS.
He said the objective is to establish one authoritative national source for education data capable of supporting policymaking, programme evaluation and resource allocation.
The NBS will also deploy household surveys and Small Area Estimation data to validate records on the education platform, including statistics relating to out-of-school children.
Data Deficit Hindering Education Reforms
Education experts have consistently argued that fragmented and outdated education statistics have contributed to poor teacher deployment, uneven infrastructure development and inefficient allocation of limited public resources.
Nigeria continues to face significant education challenges.
According to UNICEF, approximately 18.3 million Nigerian children remain out of school, one of the highest figures globally.
Similarly, the World Bank estimates that nearly 70 percent of Nigerian children cannot read and understand a simple age-appropriate text by age 10, a phenomenon it describes as “learning poverty.”
Officials believe the new digital platform will provide policymakers with the reliable information needed to tackle these longstanding challenges more effectively.
The suspension of the Oyo teachers’ strike offers temporary relief to thousands of pupils whose education was disrupted by growing security concerns.
At the same time, the Federal Government’s launch of the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System signals a broader effort to modernise education planning through accurate, real-time data.
While improved school security remains an urgent priority, education stakeholders argue that combining safe learning environments with evidence-based policymaking will be essential if Nigeria is to reverse declining education indicators and deliver quality education to every child.
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