By Festus Fifen

In a significant gathering that could shape the future of education in Nigeria, over 200 education leaders convened in Abuja for the Applied Leadership Workshop titled “Data and AI for School Administration: From Records to Results in Nigeria’s Education System.”

The workshop Organized by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, the workshop emphasized Nigeria’s potential to emerge as a leader in the global artificial intelligence arena.

L-R: Founder Centre for Teaching and Learning Academy, Dr Agodi Alagbe, Chancellor Athena Centre, Mr Osita Chidoka, Keynote Speaker and Founder Fimio USA, Dr Omoju Miller, and Executive Director of Athena Centre, Mrs Chidinma Chidoka at the Athena Centre – US Embassy AI Applied Leadership Workshop held in Abuja

The strategic workshop which was held in Abuja, attracted participants from various sectors, including federal and state ministries of education, examination bodies, school administrators, and teachers. The discussions centered around the integration of robust data systems and artificial intelligence technologies to enhance accountability, streamline school management, and improve learning outcomes across the country.

According to a press statement by the Media Communications officer of Athena Center Paul Liam, Dr. Omoju Miller, a renowned computer scientist and AI strategist in her lead presentation, emphasized that Nigeria’s extensive global diaspora and demographic strengths offer a unique advantage in cultivating an AI-driven innovation economy.

In her words, “While the adoption of AI is essential, our national competitiveness will hinge on our ability to lead in this domain rather than merely participate,”

Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Agodi Alagbe, Founder of the Centre for Teaching and Learning Academy, identified data governance as the core challenge facing Nigeria’s education system. “Nigeria’s education challenge is not AI; it is data. Quality, structured, and measurable data must guide reform at all levels,” she emphasized, pointing to the significant issues posed by inconsistent and poorly validated datasets on enrollment, teacher distribution, learning outcomes, and infrastructure.

Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Ogun State, offered insights from his virtual presentation on modernizing education administration. He highlighted the transition from paper-based to digital systems, including Education Management Information Systems (EMIS), Student Management Systems (SMS), and Learning Management Systems (LMS). Drawing from Ogun State’s DiPER experience, he demonstrated that digital transformation is possible, even in resource-constrained environments, with the right institutional policies and discipline.

Chidima Chidoka, Director of the Athena Centre, who moderated the session emphasized the importance of institutional readiness. “Artificial intelligence can enhance governance, but only when strong systems are already in place,” she noted, reinforcing the workshop’s focus on preparing educational institutions for the challenges and opportunities of AI integration.

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants who completed the necessary requirements expressed a renewed commitment to advancing data-driven governance in Nigeria’s educational sector, laying the groundwork for a future where AI and data integrity empower students and educators alike.

The workshop forms part of the Athena Centre’s broader mission to promote evidence-based governance and practical policy innovation in Nigeria. Participants agreed that strengthening education data architecture is the essential first step towards building a modern, accountable and AI-ready school system.