KAYODE SANNI
Abuja FCT
Summary
Senior education systems leader with 15+ years experience of directing large, complex, multi‑country programs with integrated MEL systems across Sub‑Saharan Africa. Has overseen rigorous inception, annual, mid‑term and project completion reviews and portfolio assessments using OECD‑DAC criteria and principles. Experienced at turning monitoring data and primary qualitative evidence into actionable findings and concise, decision‑ready products, including client progress reports and government strategic and implementation plans. Deep experience engaging ministries of education, local education groups, donors, and implementing partners to co‑create credible, inclusive and ethical interventions and MEL systems. Strong track record commissioning national learning assessments, institutionalizing EMIS and evidence use, and steering adaptive, performance‑based programming in fragile and post‑emergency contexts.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Technical Director, Education — Global Health & Education Division
Cambridge Education (Mott MacDonald Group)
01.2023 - 08.2025
- Conducted in-flight progress evaluations for flagship programs to provide quality assurance and ensure projects are delivering contracted scope, deliverables and outcomes in line with client requirements - in Ghana (FCDO Transforming Teaching, Education & Learning (T-TEL), Nigeria (USAID LEARN to Read), Malawi (FCDO National Numeracy Programme), and South Sudan (FCDO Girls Education South Sudan 2) - assuring methodological consistency, evidence quality, and actionable recommendations.
- Led technical research on MEL of Foundational Learning for a philanthropic client, with focus on FLN indicators, delivery capacity and replicable learning.
- Led multi-stakeholder design for Education Cannot Wait (ECW) Nigeria MYRP (2024–2027), co-designing theory of change and interventions with partners, aligning results chain, risk/assumption tracking, and monitoring/learning arrangements.
- Quality assured support to UNICEF Libya on education sector research & evidence, integrating qualitative/quantitative insights into concise evidence products.
- Led conduct and report drafting of internal project completion review (self assessment) of Girls Education South Sudan 2 project, with output to shape formal end of project evaluation by FCDO.
- Served as Territory Manager, Nigeria (enterprise risk oversight) and represented the organisation on the UKFIET Executive Committee.
Team Leader — Shule Bora (Quality Schools) Program, FCDO
Cambridge Education Tanzania Ltd
01.2021 - 10.2023
- Led a large consortium providing TA to government (MoEST and PO-RALG) to improve learning, inclusion, and safety in primary schools.
- Directed strategic leadership, client management, and Payment for Results delivery; led internal self-assessments that informed client's inception and annual performance reviews, and supervised in-flight implementation research.
- Championed evidence-driven adaptation, ensuring findings from monitoring and studies informed implementation resets and scale decisions.
Team Leader & Country Manager — Leh Wi Lan, FCDO
Mott MacDonald, Sierra Leone
01.2016 - 03.2021
- Steered a £38m FCDO program improving secondary education outcomes during post-Ebola recovery and Free Quality School Education reforms.
- Commissioned and used annual national learning assessments and research (quant & qual) to guide implementation adjustments and reinforce advocacy with government; coordinated inception, annual, mid-term, and completion reviews.
- Led a multi-disciplinary team and partner consortium to adapt programming to local contexts, national and sub-regional; maintained high client satisfaction and results focus in a highly fragile context.
National Programme Manager
ESSPIN, DFID
07.2012 - 01.2016
- Managed a £125m FCDO systems-strengthening program reaching ~6m children through comprehensive school improvement and state-financed rollout.
- Designed/oversaw baseline studies, implementation research, and progress evaluations, and led the framework for a £33m extension on the strength of demonstrated results / VFM.
- Drove evidence uptake with state governments; supported annual and mid-term reviews and final evaluation.
Consultant / National Coordinator, EMIS — WB/DFID CUBE
British Council, Nigeria
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Supported development and rollout of national EMIS policy, annual school census, and programme monitoring framework for World Bank state projects; promoted data use in planning.
- Peer reviewer for Nigeria Education Country Case Study for 2008 UNESCO EFA Global Monitoring Report; reviewer and editor of the 2007 Nigerian Education Sector Analysis (NESA) synthesis report on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education; editor of the Nigerian National Action Plan on EFA (2007) on behalf of the National EFA Secretariat.
- Facilitated development of 10-year education strategic plans for Lagos, Benue, Jigawa and Kano states.
- Developed market analysis of the Nigerian education sector for the British Council’s Global Education and Training Information Service (GETIS).
Education Programme Manager
Save the Children
07.2006 - 12.2006
- Programme planning and business development support.
Education Specialist
British Council, Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria
01.2001 - 03.2006
- Technical adviser on client-funded education programs; donor reporting; business development; grants and partnership management.
National Consultant
DFID Nigeria
04.1997 - 03.2001
- Piloted innovative community-managed approaches to literacy and learning (REFLECT/LOCAL) in marginalised communities; training and capability building; monitoring, and evaluation.
Volunteer /Trainer / Programme Coordinator
Karatu Nigeria (NGO)
01.1992 - 05.2001
- Programme coordination, operations and financial management; business development and donor relations; training (participatory learning & action).
Education
MEd - Education & Social Development
University of Manchester
United Kingdom 09.1994 - 09.1995
MA - English Language
University of Jos
Nigeria 09.1993 - 07.1994
BA (Hons) - English
University of Jos
Nigeria 09.1987 - 07.1991
Skills
- MEL & Evidence Systems: results frameworks and indicators; performance monitoring; EMIS/administrative data use; commissioning/quality assuring studies; cost-effectiveness/VfM thinking; adaptive management; data for development Familiarity with OECD-DAC evaluation criteria and principles
- Cross-Sector & Inclusion: gender equality & inclusion mainstreaming; EiE/resilience programming; systems thinking across climate, safety, nutrition, and technology interfaces
- Stakeholder Engagement: government leadership support; donor/client management; consortium partner coordination; facilitation and consensus-building; clear, concise writing for executive audiences
- Education governance & political engagement: high level relationship management (including Ministerial levels of government); evidence-based advocacy; sector planning and public financial management
- Management & Delivery: senior team leadership; risk and performance management; remote delivery; tight-deadline execution; client accountability
Country Experience & Languages
Languages: English (Fluent), Yoruba (Mother tongue), Hausa (Fair)
Beginner
English
Proficient (C2)
Yoruba
Proficient (C2)
Hausa
Upper intermediate (B2)
Affiliations
- Executive Committee Member, UK Forum for International Education & Training (UKFIET)
- Member, Comparative & International Education Society (CIES)
- Member, Abuja Country Club (squash and chess)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Technical Director, Education — Global Health & Education Division
Cambridge Education (Mott MacDonald Group)
01.2023 - 08.2025
Team Leader — Shule Bora (Quality Schools) Program, FCDO
Cambridge Education Tanzania Ltd
01.2021 - 10.2023
Team Leader & Country Manager — Leh Wi Lan, FCDO
Mott MacDonald, Sierra Leone
01.2016 - 03.2021
National Programme Manager
ESSPIN, DFID
07.2012 - 01.2016
Consultant / National Coordinator, EMIS — WB/DFID CUBE
British Council, Nigeria
01.2008 - 01.2010
Education Programme Manager
Save the Children
07.2006 - 12.2006
Education Specialist
British Council, Nigeria
01.2001 - 03.2006
National Consultant
DFID Nigeria
04.1997 - 03.2001
MEd - Education & Social Development
University of Manchester
09.1994 - 09.1995
MA - English Language
University of Jos
09.1993 - 07.1994
Volunteer /Trainer / Programme Coordinator
Karatu Nigeria (NGO)
01.1992 - 05.2001
BA (Hons) - English
University of Jos
09.1987 - 07.1991
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