The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has unveiled an ambitious plan to reintegrate 10 million out-of-school children into the educational system before the end of 2028.
UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Hajiya Aisha Garba, made the announcement in Kano on Thursday during the opening of a two-day retreat for senior staff of the commission. The retreat, themed “Repositioning UBEC for Sustainable Basic Education Delivery in Nigeria,” is part of the commission’s strategic push to overhaul basic education in line with national development goals.
According to Hajiya Aisha, the commission’s new strategic blueprint aims to reduce the number of out-of-school children by at least 70% between 2025 and 2028. She emphasized the urgent need for collaborative efforts between national and state government agencies to drive this educational transformation, noting that aligning stakeholders on shared priorities is critical for success.
“This retreat is not just a meeting,” she said, “it is a clarion call to all stakeholders to mobilize resources, align strategies, and act in unison to ensure no child is left behind.”
She added that her reform agenda is fully aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope initiative and the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to quality service delivery. Reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving education quality nationwide remain her top priorities.
UBEC’s Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Razaq Akinyemi, echoed the urgency, stating that the retreat serves as a platform to brainstorm and innovate for greater impact. He noted that UBEC has already made significant progress through initiatives like the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) programme, investments in school infrastructure, and expanded access to learning opportunities.
Akinyemi revealed that the commission, in collaboration with State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), has constructed over 3,700 classrooms, established 34 model and smart schools, distributed more than 142,000 pieces of school furniture, and positively impacted the lives of over 181,000 learners across Nigeria.
Read also:
- UBEC, SUBEB to train 700 teachers in Delta
- Delta Exco approves Multi-Billion Naira Road projects, N6.7bn UBEC counterpart fund
- Delta SUBEB, UBEC launch sensitisation drive for Agricultural Education Programme
The Chairman of the Kano SUBEB commended UBEC’s efforts and highlighted the state’s own aggressive push to improve education under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. He disclosed that Kano State has distributed free school uniforms and learning materials, built new classrooms, and renovated existing ones to create a more conducive learning environment.
He further revealed that the state government recently released N39 million for the training of 400 quality assurance officers, N35 million for school-based training programs, and N5 million to mobilize nomadic communities and enroll their children in school.
With Nigeria grappling with one of the highest rates of out-of-school children globally, UBEC’s bold initiative may mark a turning point in the nation’s quest for inclusive, accessible, and quality basic education for every child.
