Basic Education: UBEC reaffirms commitment to bridging planning, performance gaps
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu/Oluwatope Lawanson
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has restated its commitment to bridging the gap between planning and performance in Nigeria’s basic education sector.
Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, made this known during the 27th quarterly meeting of UBEC Management with State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) in Ikeja on Monday.
Garba noted reforms and repositioning have achieved significant progress but stressed these are only initial steps towards delivering greater impact in Nigeria’s basic education system.
The meeting’s theme was: ‘Bridging the gap between planning and performance towards achieving quality basic education’.
She highlighted key achievements, including revision of UBEC’s matching grant formula to strengthen equity, accountability, and data-driven allocation of resources across states.
According to her, 27 states have accessed part of ₦121 billion backlog of matching grants in 2024, representing a 65 per cent improvement.
She announced the revamp of the two-decade-old Basic Education Action Plan (BEAP), designed to promote needs-based planning and accelerate programme implementation across states.
Other achievements include constructing 4,900 classrooms, renovating 3,000, and supplying 354,000 pieces of furniture in 2025, directly benefiting over 2.3 million learners.
Garba also launched Nigeria’s largest teacher development programme, involving ₦22 billion investment in capacity building, aimed at improving teaching standards and learning outcomes nationwide.
Additionally, UBEC has digitised quality assurance monitoring, training over 500 officers to use real-time electronic tools to strengthen evaluation and supervision of schools.
The UBEC boss noted the reforms mark significant progress but stressed consolidation through stronger accountability and performance management frameworks is essential for sustainability.
She emphasised Nigeria’s challenge is not weak policy but poor execution, with gaps often arising from weak institutions, inconsistent funding, and ineffective programme tracking.
Garba said this disconnect informed the meeting’s theme, describing it as urgent. She added UBEC cannot achieve real transformation without strong state-level collaboration.
“Only through consistency and joint commitment can every Nigerian child have access to education and receive the quality learning they truly deserve,” she said.
Dean of SUBEB Chairmen, Prof Shehu Adaramaja, highlighted the importance of data-driven planning, digital tools, and evidence-based decision-making in improving education delivery.
He urged UBEC and SUBEBs to conduct regular learner assessments and ensure schools are equipped with classrooms, libraries, technology, and modern learning materials.
The meeting ended with renewed pledges from UBEC and SUBEBs to align strategies, strengthen accountability, and collectively achieve quality education for every Nigerian child. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
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