A high-level delegation from Jigawa and Delta States weekend visited Edo State in a significant move towards advancing quality basic education to observe the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) programme.
The visit, supported by Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, was led by Sagir Mohammed Sani, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic Education, Jigawa State, and Dr. Ashobogwu Nze Kingsley, Commissioner for Primary Education, Delta State.
Representing their states’ commitment to transforming education, both leaders explored Edo’s core educational model, which incorporates data-driven teaching methodologies, digital tracking tools, and extensive teacher training programmes.
The delegation were hosted by the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and NewGlobe, the implementing partner of the programme.
Mrs Salami Ozavize, the state SUBEB, chairman, and the delegation engaged in in-depth discussions and live classroom observations to understand how these pillars contributed to sustainable educational improvement.
Launched in 2018, EdoBEST has reshaped the basic education landscape in Edo State, focusing on innovative, evidence-based strategies to achieve substantial gains.
Ozavize noted that through a combination of digital lesson guides delivered through smart devices, real-time monitoring of classroom teaching and student learning, and teacher training.
She said the programme had increased student enrolment by over 40%, reaching more than 384,000 children in 2024.
“Literacy and numeracy proficiency rates have also risen significantly, with the students now consistently performing on par with their peers in upper-middle-income countries,” Ozavize said.
“This success has positioned Edo State as a leader in education reform, inspiring states across Nigeria eager to replicate similar gains in learning outcomes.”
During the visit, the Permanent Secretary of Jigawa state, Sagir Mohammed Sani, conveyed his state’s firm commitment to quality education, emphasising the importance of innovative reforms that align with Jigawa’s educational goals.
Sani noted that they were in Edo to explore how strategic models could be adapted to create a sustainable path for long-term educational transformation.
Similarly, Dr. Kingsley Nze, the Commissioner for Primary Education in Delta State, highlighted his state’s commitment to building an inclusive and effective educational system that lays a solid foundation for every child’s future.
He noted the unique potential of blending technology with human expertise to drive meaningful improvements and expressed optimism about how the insights could shape Delta State’s educational strategy.
