The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Aisha Garba, on Thursday said the Federal Government is stepping up efforts to improve access to quality basic education through the provision of instructional materials and infrastructure across the country.
She made this known at the flag-off ceremony for the distribution of instructional materials to public basic schools in the Federal Capital Territory, organised by the FCT Universal Basic Education Board in collaboration with UBEC in Abuja.
Garba said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring inclusive and equitable education for every Nigerian child, regardless of background.
She noted ongoing interventions by the commission, including classroom construction, teacher training, and nationwide distribution of learning materials, as well as efforts to reintegrate out-of-school children into classrooms.
“Through the strategic collaboration of SUBEB, as well as UBEC, we are advancing infrastructure nationwide. Over 10,000 classrooms have been recently constructed. Over 500 teachers have undergone teacher capacity training.”
Garba added that millions of textbooks and learning materials have already been distributed across the country, alongside targeted programmes aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children.
“We have distributed over 400,000 teaching and learning materials, and we are still going. We have distributed over 100,000 Koranic out-of-school, particularly those in the Sangha Islamic education, and over seven million core textbooks to students nationwide.
“Working together with our partners, particularly at the grassroots level, we have worked together to bring back 700,000 out of school back to school. This is a big milestone.”
She said the initiative forms part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, aimed at prioritising the Nigerian child in national development.
“Today’s event represents a continuation of the nationwide effort reinforced by the Renewed Hope Agenda Initiative of President Bola Tinubu, which places the Nigerian child at the heart of the national agenda.”
Garba also revealed that schools in the FCT received instructional materials such as textbooks, writing materials, digital tools, and other learning aids to support teaching and learning.
“I am pleased to announce that FCT UBEB has received substantial materials, over 137 core textbooks, more than 7,000 packs of pencils and exercise, in addition to over 40 interactive smart boards, more than 30 desktop computers, as well as school bags, school materials, school shoes, and all other school materials for students”, she said.
She added that the materials would significantly improve literacy and learning outcomes.
Also speaking, the Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Education Secretariat, Danlami Hayyo, representing FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, said the administration has prioritised education through major investment in school infrastructure.
Hayyo said over 100 schools across the six area councils are undergoing renovation, with many already completed.
“The Honourable Minister approved the renovation of about 108 primary, junior, and senior secondary schools in FCT across six area councils of FCT. As of now, we have over 60 schools renovated, and the remaining project is ongoing,” he said.
He also commended the collaboration between UBEC and the FCT, noting that prompt counterpart funding has strengthened education programme implementation.
The Acting Executive Chairman of FCT-UBEB, Florence Wenegieme, described the exercise as a major step in strengthening foundational education in the territory.
“Today marks a significant milestone that we carry out the flag-off of the distribution of these instructional materials. Education is the bedrock of the development of every nation.”
She added that the materials will be distributed across all six area councils to benefit pupils and teachers while also encouraging out-of-school children to return to school.
“These materials are going to be distributed to all six area councils, and the representatives will collect their own instructional materials, learning materials, and all that is required to strengthen education in the FCT.”
Nigeria’s basic education sector continues to face challenges such as weak infrastructure, insufficient teaching resources, and a high number of out-of-school children driven by poverty, insecurity, and regional disparities.
“To address these issues, UBEC was established to coordinate nationwide efforts to expand access to free, compulsory basic education and improve learning conditions in public schools.
“Despite these interventions, gaps in access and quality have persisted, prompting renewed government efforts to scale up support through targeted programmes and resource distribution”, she stated.
