Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), has called for a strategic reform of Nigeria’s education sector, hinged on effective administration and the use of data and technology to drive leadership decisions.
He made the call while delivering the keynote address at the Human Capital Development Conference organised by the Federal University of Education, Kontagora (FUEK), in Abuja. The event, which drew key stakeholders from the education sector, including provosts, registrars, bursars, and representatives of SSUCOEN, was supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
Professor Okwelle emphasised that solving the systemic challenges in Nigeria’s education system goes beyond increasing funding or improving infrastructure. According to him, there is a pressing need for institutions to embrace visionary leadership, transparent governance, and administrative processes driven by data and innovation. Good governance in education is more than just policy; it requires integrity, accountability, and a commitment to inclusive practices that shape institutional culture. Administrators must be equipped to lead with technology, apply data to decision-making, and manage with emotional intelligence.
