UBEC Tackles 10.5m Out-of-School Children in Nigeria Through Repositioning and Advocacy

By DAYO ADESULU

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has reaffirmed its determination to reduce the alarming 10.5 million of out-of-school children in Nigeria. This commitment was emphasized by the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, during the opening ceremony of a two-day management retreat held at the prestigious Ibom Icon Hotel & Golf Resorts, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The retreat, themed “Repositioning UBEC for Sustainable Basic Education Delivery in Nigeria,” brought together stakeholders from across the education sector to strategize and improve the delivery of foundational education across the country.

Poor Rural Children Most Affected by Education Crisis

Aisha Garba raised serious concerns about the growing education gap between children from well-off families and those in rural, economically disadvantaged communities. According to her, poverty and general hardship have left many children—particularly in remote areas—without access to basic education.

• Out of School children in Nigeria
• https://www.thecheernews.com/obasanjo-warns-of-out-of-school-children-as-future-recruitment-ground-for-boko-haram/

“The enrollment rate for children aged three to five showed only marginal growth between 2018 and 2022,” she stated. “Meanwhile, the decline in the teacher-student ratio suggests growing pressure on teaching capacity, which ultimately threatens the quality of learning.”

Her remarks underscore the urgent need to improve both access and quality in Nigeria’s basic education system. The situation is particularly troubling as the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria continues to rank among the highest globally.

Minister of Education Supports UBEC’s Transformation Goals

Garba emphasized that the current Minister of Education remains fully committed to repositioning UBEC to deliver on its core mandate. The Commission, she noted, is central to the government’s efforts to ensure that every Nigerian child, regardless of background or geographic location, has access to Universal Basic Education (UBE).

This repositioning, she added, is not only about improving infrastructure but also about fostering inclusive policies and sustainable financing models that can endure political transitions.

UBEC’s Achievements in School Infrastructure Development

Highlighting UBEC’s recent interventions, Garba pointed out that the Commission, in partnership with State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), has made significant progress in infrastructure development. Thousands of schools have been constructed across various states, and hundreds of existing classroom blocks have been renovated to improve learning environments.

She noted that this progress demonstrates UBEC’s dedication to ensuring that no Nigerian child is left behind. Despite these gains, she acknowledged that several systemic and funding challenges remain, especially at the sub-national level.

States Struggle to Access Matching Grants

One of the key issues being addressed during the retreat is the persistent difficulty some states face in accessing UBEC’s matching grant funds. These grants, meant for teaching resources and infrastructural development, often remain unutilized due to bureaucratic delays or non-compliance with UBEC’s funding requirements.

“Over the years, states have experienced delays in accessing the matching grant funds disbursed from the national level,” Garba said. “We must explore ways to streamline this process to avoid stalling progress at the state level.”

She stressed that resolving these bottlenecks is critical to accelerating progress toward UBE goals and ensuring that investments made at the national level are fully translated into grassroots impact.

Repositioning UBEC for Sustainable Impact

Garba maintained that the core objective of the retreat was to reposition UBEC for long-term, sustainable success. This includes re-evaluating internal processes, boosting institutional capacity, and enhancing stakeholder engagement. Moreover, the Commission is placing renewed emphasis on data-driven decision-making and accountability to monitor its interventions effectively.

She called for intensified advocacy and community engagement to change public perceptions and drive grassroots support for universal education. By involving traditional institutions, local governments, and civil society organizations, she said, the Commission can build a national consensus around the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s education crisis.

Looking Ahead: Achieving Universal Basic Education

As Nigeria navigates its demographic boom, basic education remains one of the most critical levers for sustainable development. The challenges are significant—from underfunded schools and inadequate teacher recruitment to deep-rooted socio-economic barriers. However, UBEC’s current direction signals a renewed hope for transformational change.

With robust collaboration between federal and state actors, coupled with stronger advocacy and increased investment, the vision of quality education for all Nigerian children is within reach.

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