• Lagos launches education needs assessment covering 1,238 public schools
• Data-driven plan aims to improve learning outcomes, teacher support
• 70% of Nigerian 10-year-olds face learning poverty, UNESCO/World Bank say

The Lagos State government has launched the "Needs Assessment Project," a comprehensive operation covering 1,238 public primary schools, vocational centers, inclusive facilities, and local education services. Led by the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), the initiative was presented on Thursday during a meeting with stakeholders. Officials said the diagnostic survey marks the start of a continuous process to sustainably transform public education.

The approach aims to shift from reactive educational planning to a data-driven strategy. By identifying real shortcomings, the government can target its investments, improve the quality of primary education, and boost academic outcomes. Anticipated benefits include safer classrooms, better support for teachers, and ultimately, a more competitive workforce.

The move comes as Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, faces the challenge of educating a rapidly growing youth population. A joint report from the World Bank and UNESCO in 2022 revealed that learning poverty had increased by a third in low- and middle-income countries. According to official data, 70% of 10-year-olds in Nigeria are unable to understand a simple written text.

In Lagos, a megacity with a population of 17.2 million in 2025 and 32.4% of its residents aged 0 to 14, improving basic education is essential to reducing inequality and enhancing future productivity. The program is a continuation of initiatives like EKOEXCEL, which was launched in 2019 to integrate digital technology into teaching and train educators in modern practices.

"The future of Lagos depends on how much we invest in our children today. This initiative gives us the clarity and direction to act decisively," said Hakeem Shittu, chairman of LASUBEB.

The success of the assessment will depend on the state's ability to secure the necessary funding and effectively implement reforms. Similar experiences on the continent show the effectiveness of this approach. In Ghana, educational audits supported by the World Bank helped reallocate resources to the most vulnerable schools. In Senegal, the UNICEF-backed Basic Education Quality Improvement Project (PAQEEB) improved infrastructure and teaching methods, leading to a measurable increase in academic success rates and better access to education for children in rural and vulnerable urban areas.

For Lagos, the next step will be to translate this diagnostic into budgeted and measurable programs. Without rigorous monitoring and private sector involvement, the data collected could remain on paper.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou