Chidimma Uchegbu
The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, has reaffirmed commitment of the commission to strengthen collaboration with the Nasarawa State Government to improve access to quality basic education.
Garba made this known when she led a high-level delegation of UBEC management on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Audu Sule.
In a statement by the Head of Public Relations and Protocol of UBEC, Mr. David Apeh, on Sunday in Abuja, the UBEC boss used the occasion of the visit to undertook an inspection tour of UBEC-funded projects and facilities across the state.
Accompanying her were top UBEC officials, including the Director of Finance and Accounts, Alhaji Adamu Misau, the Director of Physical Planning, Engr. Sadiq Sa’ad, Elder Edward Abalaka, the North-Central Zonal Director, and Barr. Ibrahim D. Gold, Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary.
The delegation was received at the Nasarawa State Government House by Governor Sule, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Labaran Magaji, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. John Mamman, and other senior state officials.
In her remark, the Executive Secretary of UBEC highlighted pivotal role of State governments in the implementation of Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme in the country, while expressing the renewed commitment of the commission to strengthen collaboration with the Nasarawa State Government so as to improve access to quality basic education in the State.
The discussions at the meeting focused on expanding educational opportunities, particularly for out-of-school children, and enhancing the delivery of inclusive learning.
The visit reinforced UBEC’s commitment to ensuring sustainable and inclusive education, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and effective policy implementation.
On his part, Governor Sule commended UBEC’s support in the development of basic education in the state, highlighting key achievements such as the construction and renovation of primary and junior secondary schools, the provision of textbooks and learning materials, the recruitment of 2,000 teachers, and the establishment of a temporary office for UBEC’s North-Central Zonal Office.
He noted that Nasarawa State has remained one of the leading states in effectively accessing and utilising UBEC’s matching grants.
The Governor called on UBEC staff to fully support the Executive Secretary in achieving her mandate.
Sule who doubles as the chairman of the North-Central Governors Forum, said his colleagues recognised Aisha Garba’s expertise and expressed confidence in her ability to drive meaningful reforms in the sub-sector.
He said his administration was prepared to continue work closely with UBEC in addressing challenges such as the rising number of out-of-school children and the Almajiri education system.
Governor Sule reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to processing the Certificate of Occupancy for the land allocated to UBEC for the construction of the Commission’s North-Central Zonal Office.
He expressed appreciation for UBEC’s interventions in the state, including the UBEC Smart School in Lafia and the Second Chance School in Akwanga, and pledged continued collaboration to improve basic education.
As part of the visit, the Executive Secretary engaged with students and teachers at the UBEC Smart School in Lafia, where she observed technology-driven learning, including robotics demonstrations.
She also met with officials at the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) headquarters, monitoring the ongoing 46th Financial Monitoring exercise conducted by UBEC’s Finance and Accounts department.
The tour also included an inspection of UBEC’s North-Central Zonal Office, where the Executive Secretary interacted with staff and assessed operational needs.
She concluded her engagements with a visit to the Modified Second Chance School in Akwanga, evaluating its impact on alternative education and making recommendations for further improvements.
