Department Overview
The Department of Education Support Services (ESS) is one of the professional departments of the Federal Ministry of Education, established in 1988 in line with the recommendations of the Dotun Phillips Civil Service Reforms, and restored in 2013 by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The Department provides strategic professional support services that strengthen the quality, relevance, and effectiveness of education in Nigeria through policy implementation, technical expertise, stakeholder collaboration, and institutional support.
The Department coordinates programmes and initiatives in teacher support and development, evaluation and accreditation of educational qualifications, guidance and counselling, school health and sports education, instructional materials development, examination ethics and campus safety, and national and international educational cooperation. It also facilitates bilateral and multilateral education partnerships, promotes collaboration with development partners, and supports the implementation of national education priorities through evidence-based interventions and professional advisory services.
Working closely with Federal and State Ministries of Education, regulatory bodies, educational institutions, development partners, and other stakeholders, the Department remains committed to promoting educational excellence, strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing learner outcomes, and advancing inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education in Nigeria.
Our Vision
To make Colleges of Education Centres of Excellence in teaching, learning and research in order to promote the production of top-class teachers, highly motivated and fully prepared for teaching at the basic education level
Our Vision
To be a centre of excellence in educational support services, advancing quality education through professional support, strategic partnerships, and continuous improvement, and contributing to a globally competitive education system in Nigeria.
Our Mission
To provide professional, innovative, and responsive educational support services through effective policy implementation, strategic partnerships, teacher development, evaluation and accreditation of educational qualifications, guidance and counselling, and other evidence-based interventions that promote equitable access to quality education and improved learning outcomes across Nigeria.
Mandate
- Coordinate national programmes and initiatives that strengthen teaching, learning, and educational quality across all levels of education
- Provide professional leadership and policy support in teacher development, instructional materials, arts and cultural education, guidance and counselling, school health, sports education, and examination ethics and campus safety
- Evaluate and accredit local and foreign educational qualifications outside the statutory mandates of relevant regulatory agencies, determine the Nigerian equivalence of foreign qualifications where applicable, and provide advisory and appellant services on educational qualifications
- Coordinate bilateral, multilateral, Commonwealth, and African educational cooperation, facilitate the implementation of educational agreements and technical cooperation programmes, and promote international educational partnerships
- Represent the Ministry in national, regional, and international education engagements, fostering collaboration with governments, development partners, educational institutions, and other stakeholders
- Coordinate national initiatives that promote teacher excellence, including the World Teachers’ Day Celebration and the President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards
- Provide advisory services on educational qualifications, international education systems, and related educational matters to government institutions, employers, educational institutions, and the public
- Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate programmes and interventions that promote learner development, school health, guidance and counselling, career education, educational integrity, and examination ethics
- Monitor the implementation of educational projects and interventions to ensure compliance with approved standards and support evidence-based decision-making
- Support the Federal Ministry of Education in advancing national education priorities through strategic coordination, professional support services, and effective stakeholder collaboration
Core Functions
Guided by the values of Excellence, Professionalism, Integrity, Innovation, Collaboration, Inclusiveness, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement, the Department’s core functions include:
- Educational Qualification Evaluation and Accreditation: evaluates local and foreign educational qualifications, determines Nigerian equivalence where applicable, accredits qualifications outside the statutory mandates of relevant regulatory agencies, and provides advisory services on qualification recognition
- National and International Educational Partnerships: coordinates bilateral, multilateral, Commonwealth, and African educational cooperation, facilitates the implementation of education agreements and technical cooperation programmes, and promotes collaboration with regional and international organisations
- Teacher Support and Development: strengthens teacher capacity through professional development, instructional support, arts and cultural education, teacher recognition programmes, and initiatives that enhance teaching quality and professional excellence
- Guidance, Counselling, and Career Development: develops and promotes guidance and counselling services, career education, psychological assessment, counsellor capacity building, and learner support programmes that foster academic success and personal development
- School Health and Sports Education: develops and coordinates programmes that promote school health, physical education, school sports, family life and HIV education, learner well-being, and healthy school environments
- Examination Ethics and Campus Safety: coordinates initiatives that promote integrity, transparency, and accountability in public examinations, while strengthening examination ethics, campus safety, and safe learning environments
- Instructional Materials, Arts, and Educational Innovation: promotes the development and utilisation of instructional materials, supports arts and cultural education, coordinates educational competitions, and encourages innovative teaching and learning practices
- Educational Policy Support, Monitoring, and Stakeholder Collaboration: provides technical and policy advisory services, monitors educational programmes and projects, and collaborates with governments, educational institutions, regulatory agencies, development partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen education service delivery
Leadership
DIRECTOR
Mr. Gabriel Amudipe Oluwole
Mr. Gabriel Amudipe Oluwole is the Director of the Department of Education Support Services, Federal Ministry of Education. In this capacity he oversees the Department’s coordination of teacher support and development, evaluation and accreditation of educational qualifications, guidance and counselling, school health and sports education, instructional materials development, examination ethics and campus safety, and national and international educational cooperation.
He coordinates the Department’s national teacher excellence initiatives, including the annual World Teachers’ Day Celebration and the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards.
Organizational Structure
The Department delivers its statutory responsibilities through five professional Divisions and one cross-cutting branch.
Divisions: National and International Partnerships (N&IP)
Branches:
- Bilateral Agreements
- Commonwealth and African Affairs
- çMultilateral Cooperation.
Key Functions:
Coordinates bilateral, multilateral, Commonwealth, and African educational cooperation, facilitates the implementation of education agreements and technical cooperation programmes, and coordinates educational partnerships with regional and international organisations.
Divisions: Evaluation and Accreditation (E&A)
Branches:
Evaluation and Accreditation
Centre for Educational Measurement.
Key Functions:
Evaluates foreign educational qualifications to determine their Nigerian equivalence for admission into educational institutions in Nigeria, NYSC mobilisation, employment, and other official purposes. Authenticates Nigerian academic and professional qualifications for further studies or official use abroad. Processes Eligibility Letters for admission into academic institutions abroad or for employment purposes, and Letters of No Objection to educational institutions or organisations, in accordance with applicable policies.
Divisions: School Support
Branches:
- Teacher Support and Development
- Instructional Materials and Publications
- Art and Cultural Education.
Key Functions:
Promotes teacher professional development, instructional materials development, arts and cultural education, and innovative school support programmes that strengthen teaching quality, enhance learning outcomes, and foster creativity across educational institutions.
Divisions: Guidance and Counselling (G&C)
Branches:
- Careers
- Guidance and Counselling.
Key Functions:
Coordinates guidance and counselling services, career education, psychological assessment, counsellor capacity development, and learner support programmes that promote academic, personal, social, and career development.
Divisions: Sports and Health Education (SHE)
Branches:
HIV/AIDS
Sports and Health Education.
Key Functions:
Coordinates school health, school sports, family life and reproductive health education, HIV/AIDS education, and learner well-being programmes to promote healthy, safe, and supportive learning environments.
Divisions: Examination Ethics and Campus Safety
Branches:
(cross-cutting branch)
Key Functions:
Coordinates examination ethics, campus safety, and related initiatives that promote integrity, accountability, and safe learning environments across educational institutions.
Key Services
- Evaluation of foreign educational qualifications and authentication of Nigerian educational qualifications
- Processing of Eligibility Letters for admission and employment purposes
- Processing of Letters of No Objection relating to educational qualifications and private training institutions, in accordance with applicable policies
- Advisory services on educational qualifications, recognition, equivalence, and international education systems
- Coordination of bilateral, multilateral, Commonwealth, and African educational cooperation
- Technical support for the negotiation, implementation, and monitoring of education agreements, technical cooperation programmes, and international partnerships
- Professional guidance, counselling, career development, and psychological assessment services
- Teacher professional development, instructional support, and capacity-building programmes
- Development and promotion of instructional materials, arts, and cultural education initiatives
- Coordination of school health, school sports, family life and reproductive health education, and HIV/AIDS education programmes
- Promotion of examination ethics, campus safety, and educational integrity
- Monitoring and evaluation of educational programmes, projects, and interventions
Key Programmes / Projects
- World Teachers’ Day Celebration and President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards
- Teacher Development on Education in Emergency Preparedness
- Review of Guidance and Counselling Monitoring Instruments
- Development of the Federal Ministry of Education Blueprint on Counselling Against Social Vices in Schools
- Campaign Against Social Vices in Secondary and Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria
- Stamping-Out Drug Abuse and Gender-Based Violence in Federal Unity Colleges
- Commonwealth Day Celebration
- Commonwealth Conference of Education Ministers
- Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting: Education Activities
- African Union Continental Education Strategy Programme
- International Joint Commission Conferences
- Education Migration Coordination Programme
- African Union Peace and Security Day Celebration
- Development of the Blueprint on Peace and Security Education in Schools
- National and Zonal Football Competition among Federal Unity Colleges
- Federal Government Colleges Games
- Review of the National School Health Policy
- School Health Intervention Programme
- National Youth Speak-Out on Family Life, HIV, and Health Education
- Family Life and HIV Education Programme
- Development of Information, Education, and Communication Materials for Family Life and HIV Education
- National Standing Committee on Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications
- Foreign Qualification Assessment Programme
- No Objection Assessment Programme for Private Training Institutions
- Digitisation of Evaluation and Accreditation Services
- Capacity Development Programme for Evaluation and Accreditation Officers
- Development of the Handbook on Examination Ethics and Campus Safety
- Forum for Examination Officers in Federal Unity Colleges
- Digital Arts, Animation, and Graphics Programme
- Baseline Monitoring on the Use of Modern Instructional Materials in Secondary Schools
- Skills Acquisition Programme for Art and Craft Teachers
- International Art Competition
- National Arts Competition for Secondary Schools
- Art and Music Teachers’ Refresher Programme
- Instructional Materials Competition for Federal Unity Colleges
- Production and Promotion of Instructional Materials Programme
- Book Development and Distribution Promotion Programme
- Family Life and Reproductive Health Programme
- School Sports Development Programme
Achievements
- Institutionalising the annual World Teachers’ Day Celebration as Nigeria’s flagship platform for recognising teachers and promoting excellence in the teaching profession
- Coordinating the President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards to recognise outstanding teachers, school leaders, and educational institutions
- Strengthening the national system for the evaluation, accreditation, authentication, and recognition of educational qualifications, thereby enhancing transparency, credibility, and consistency in qualification assessment
- Strengthening Nigeria’s engagement in bilateral, multilateral, Commonwealth, and African educational cooperation through the implementation of education agreements, technical cooperation programmes, and strategic partnerships
- Advancing teacher professional development and instructional support through national capacity-building, arts education, and instructional ,materials initiatives
- Strengthening guidance and counselling, career development, and psychological support services to improve learner development and informed career decision-making
- Advancing school health, school sports, family life and reproductive health education, and HIV/AIDS education through coordinated national programmes and stakeholder collaboration
- Strengthening examination ethics and campus safety through policy implementation, monitoring, capacity building, and collaboration with examination bodies and other stakeholders
Images & Media
Contact Information
Main Office: Department of Education Support Services (ESS) 8th Floor, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Ahmadu Bello Way, Central Business District, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria
- Email: ess@education.gov.ng / ess1@education.gov.ng
- Phone: +234 (0) 916 506 4730