UBEC Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba
* UBEC had helped to build more than 4,600 classrooms.
* Invested over ₦20.4 billion in teacher professional training.
The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Aisha Garba, has disclosed that the commission has facilitated the mobilisation of more than ₦100 billion in previously unaccessed matching grants by states and the Federal Capital Territory, describing the development as a major milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to improve basic education across Nigeria.
Garba disclosed this on Thursday during a high-level media luncheon with education correspondents in Abuja.
Garba said the funds, which had remained unaccessed for years, are now being invested in school infrastructure, teacher development and improved learning outcomes in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking, the UBEC boss said the commission was implementing a new strategy focused on delivering measurable improvements in access to quality basic education.
“Today, UBEC is writing a new chapter in basic education. Guided by our 2025–2031 Strategic Blueprint and aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government, we are moving beyond reforms to deliver measurable results that are improving schools, empowering teachers and expanding opportunities for millions of Nigerian children,” she said.
According to her, one of UBEC’s biggest achievements has been unlocking over ₦100 billion in matching grants for states and the FCT.
“These resources are now being invested in improving learning environments across the country,” she added.
Garba said the intervention had already translated into significant improvements in school infrastructure nationwide.
She disclosed that through collaboration with State Universal Basic Education Boards, UBEC had supported the construction of more than 4,600 classrooms, renovation of over 6,100 classrooms, provision of 2,780 toilets and 678 boreholes, while supplying more than 334,000 pieces of school furniture.
She added that the commission had also established over 2,300 Early Childhood Care Development and Education Centres, providing young children with stronger foundations for learning.
The UBEC chief stressed that improving teacher quality remained central to the commission’s reforms.
According to her, the commission has invested over ₦20.4 billion in teacher professional development to strengthen classroom instruction, improve school leadership and enhance accountability through the Effective Schools Programme and stronger School-Based Management Committees.
Garba also highlighted the commission’s efforts to prepare Nigerian pupils for the digital economy through expanded investments in technology-driven learning.
She said UBEC was expanding Digital Literacy Centres across the country, strengthening Smart Schools, promoting Artificial Intelligence, coding and robotics, modernising digital learning facilities and equipping learners with future-ready skills.
In addition, she revealed that more than 7.8 million instructional materials had been distributed to schools nationwide to improve literacy, numeracy and foundational learning.
The Executive Secretary said the commission was also widening access to education through Open Schooling, Integrated Qur’anic and Tsangaya Education, girl-child education and inclusive education programmes, while strengthening partnerships with state governments, development partners and the private sector.
“Our commitment goes beyond infrastructure and technology. We are expanding access to education through Open Schooling, Integrated Qur’anic and Tsangaya Education, girl-child education, inclusive education programmes and stronger partnerships to ensure that no child is left behind,” she said.
Garba further noted that UBEC had introduced institutional reforms aimed at improving transparency, strengthening project monitoring and promoting data-driven decision-making to ensure better value for public investments.
She described the media as a critical partner in advancing education reforms, calling for balanced and factual reporting that would promote accountability and increase public confidence in the sector.
“The media remains one of UBEC’s most important partners. Beyond informing the public, you help promote transparency, inspire accountability and bring national attention to the progress, challenges and opportunities within Nigeria’s basic education sector,” she said.
She urged journalists to continue highlighting both the achievements and challenges in the education sector, stressing that transforming basic education requires the collective efforts of government, parents, teachers, communities, development partners and the media.
UBEC is the Federal Government agency responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Universal Basic Education programme across Nigeria. The commission provides matching grants to states for the development of public basic education, covering early childhood education, primary education and junior secondary education.
The commission’s current reforms are being driven by its 2025–2031 Strategic Blueprint, which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to improve access to quality education, strengthen teacher capacity, expand digital learning, reduce the number of out-of-school children and enhance learning outcomes across the country’s basic education system. Recent interventions have also focused on improving monitoring, expanding Smart Schools and integrating technology, including artificial intelligence and coding, into basic education.
