Kogi Education Commissioner Makes Landmark Presentation at Armed Forces Command and Staff College Senior Course 48 Study Tour in Lokoja, Says Ododo Administration Is Building a Future-Ready Educational System
The Wemi Jones, Hon. Wemi Jones FCIB, has declared that education remains one of the strongest pillars of the administration of Ahmed Usman Ododo, stressing that the Kogi State Government views education not merely as a social service, but as a strategic investment in human capital development, economic prosperity, peace building and long-term national security.
The Commissioner made the declaration on Tuesday while delivering a comprehensive presentation during the study tour of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Senior Course 48 held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Lokoja.
Addressing the distinguished military participants, Wemi Jones described the visit as an important platform for national integration, intergovernmental collaboration and the exchange of developmental ideas capable of strengthening Nigeria’s future.
According to him, the administration of Governor Ododo has continued to place education at the centre of governance, with deliberate reforms aimed at transforming the sector into a modern, policy-driven and globally competitive system.
He reiterated Governor Ododo’s position that education remains “the strongest foundation for sustainable development, economic growth, social stability and the future competitiveness of the State.”
The Commissioner explained that Kogi State’s educational transformation agenda is anchored on strategic legislative frameworks, long-term planning and increased funding designed to guarantee continuity, accountability and measurable outcomes.
He listed major reforms introduced by the government to include the Kogi State Education Law 2020, the Free Examination Registration Law 2024, and the Education Sector Strategic Plan 2021–2030, alongside the extension of teachers’ years of service from 35 to 40 years and retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
Wemi Jones further disclosed that one of the landmark achievements of the administration is the implementation of tuition-free education and free examination registration for students in public schools across the State.
According to him, the government currently shoulders registration costs for WAEC, JAMB, NABTEB, BECE, Mock Examinations and Common Entrance Examinations, thereby reducing financial pressure on parents and expanding access to education.
He revealed that between 2023 and 2026 alone, the State Government invested over ₦3.6 billion in tuition support and examination registration for students in public schools.
“The guiding principle of this administration is simple: no child in Kogi State should be denied access to education because of financial limitations,” he stated.
The Commissioner also highlighted the government’s commitment to strategic educational planning through data-driven systems such as the Education Management Information System (EMIS), annual school census and educational forecasting mechanisms aimed at improving governance, transparency and effective resource allocation.
On funding, he noted that Kogi State increased education allocation to 30 percent of the State’s annual budget from 2022 to date, describing the move as one of the boldest commitments to educational investment in Nigeria.
He said the increased funding has supported massive school reconstruction and renovation projects, expansion of learning infrastructure, recruitment and training of teachers, digital learning initiatives, technical education development and student support programmes across the State.
The Commissioner equally pointed to the establishment of Confluence University of Science and Technology and Kogi State University as major milestones in strengthening tertiary education and improving academic competitiveness in the State.
Speaking on efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children, Wemi Jones disclosed that targeted interventions by the government have successfully returned over 135,000 children to school, reducing the out-of-school population from 731,126 to 596,110.
He described the achievement as not just educational progress, but a restoration of hope, dignity and opportunity for thousands of families across Kogi State.
The Commissioner emphasized that the administration has also prioritized the construction and rehabilitation of safe and conducive learning environments through mega school projects, renovation of public schools, rehabilitation of technical colleges and provision of furniture and sanitation facilities.
On the nexus between education and national security, Wemi Jones stressed that Kogi State strongly believes education remains one of the most effective long-term strategies for promoting peace, stability and national development.
He maintained that while security agencies play vital roles in protecting lives and territorial integrity, sustainable peace can only thrive when young people are educated, empowered and productively engaged.
Quoting global education advocate Malala Yousafzai, the Commissioner stated: “With guns, you can kill terrorists; but with education, you can kill terrorism.”
He said the philosophy continues to guide Kogi State’s investment in youth empowerment, technical skills acquisition, innovation and social inclusion.
Wemi Jones concluded by assuring participants that the Ododo administration remains resolute in building an educational system that works for every child and secures the future of Kogi State through sustainable human capital development.
He expressed optimism that the State’s ongoing reforms are steadily translating into measurable results capable of positioning Kogi as a model for educational transformation and inclusive governance in Nigeria.
Signed
Media Office of the Honorable Commissioner for Education, Kogi State.
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