UBEC boss urges 2025–2031 strategic blueprint to boost basic education delivery
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, has called for deeper integration of digital systems to accelerate performance and strengthen coordination in Nigeria’s basic education sector.
Speaking at the opening of the 29th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) in Abuja, Tuesday, Garba said the sector had entered a decisive phase of reform anchored on the 2025–2031 Strategic Blueprint.
She commended the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, for their leadership in driving innovation, accountability, and systemic reforms.
Garba noted that significant progress had been recorded over the past year, with over 8.7 million learners benefiting from improved learning conditions and instructional materials, while more than 244,000 teachers had been trained in inclusive pedagogy and digital literacy.
She also disclosed that through sustained advocacy, over N100 billion in previously unaccessed matching grants had been unlocked, with 30 states and the FCT now actively utilising basic education funds.
According to her, revised Matching Grants Guidelines have been finalised to ensure transparency, efficiency, and improved access.
On project delivery, Garba revealed that procurement performance reached a 95 per cent completion rate for 2024 projects, enhancing timely implementation of interventions nationwide.
Highlighting the role of technology, she said UBEC’s Digitalisation of Public Schools Initiative had expanded access to digital learning platforms and strengthened teachers’ capacity in digital pedagogy, adding that improvements to data systems such as the Nigeria Education Data Initiative (NEDI) and the Basic Education Management Information System (BEMIS) were enhancing planning, monitoring, and performance tracking.
Garba stressed that while infrastructure accounts for 75 per cent of UBEC funding, the remaining 25 per cent now accommodates ICT, teacher training, and data systems.
She urged stakeholders to move beyond acknowledging digital transformation to fully institutionalising it, noting that improved coordination and data-driven decision-making are critical to better learning outcomes.
She reaffirmed UBEC’s commitment to working closely with SUBEBs to deliver measurable impact across the country.