UBEC: 8.7m pupils benefit from improved learning conditions nationwide
…concludes revised matching grants guidelines The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has announced that approximately 8.7 million learners across Nigeria have so far benefitted from enhanced learning environments and improved
…concludes revised matching grants guidelines
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has announced that approximately 8.7 million learners across Nigeria have so far benefitted from enhanced learning environments and improved instructional materials under ongoing reforms in the basic education sector.
The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of the 29th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs).
The meeting, themed: “Accelerating Basic Education Performance Through Digitally Enabled Coordination”, brought together key stakeholders to review progress and strengthen collaboration in the implementation of basic education policies nationwide.
Garba explained that the achievements recorded were the result of coordinated implementation of reforms under the 2025–2031 Strategic Blueprint, designed to strengthen education delivery across the country.
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She also disclosed that over 244,000 teachers had been trained in inclusive pedagogy and digital literacy to improve teaching quality and learning outcomes.
According to her, UBEC’s renewed strategy has repositioned the commission beyond a funding agency into a system enabler focused on alignment, accountability, and measurable impact across states.
She said, “Over the past year, we have entered a decisive phase in the evolution of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme.
“Throughout 2025, our focus shifted from diagnosing systemic challenges to implementing coordinated, large-scale reforms under the 2025-2031 Strategic Blueprint.
“This transition reflects our renewed role, not only as a funding institution but also as a systems enabler, driving alignment, strengthening delivery, and ensuring that impact is felt across all states.
“The results of this collective effort are already evident. Over 8.7 million learners have benefited from improved learning conditions and instructional materials, while more than 244,000 teachers have been equipped with skills in inclusive pedagogy and digital literacy.”
Garba further revealed that sustained data-driven advocacy helped the commission unlock over N100 billion in previously un-accessed matching grants, with 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) now actively accessing basic education funding.
She noted that revised Matching Grants Guidelines had been completed to improve transparency, efficiency, and the utilisation of education resources.
Garba also stated that procurement performance had improved significantly, with a 95 per cent completion rate recorded for 2024 projects, ensuring timely delivery of interventions across the country.
On digital reforms, the UBEC boss said digitization remained central to the commission’s agenda through the Digitalization of Public Schools Initiative, implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.
She explained that the initiative had expanded access to digital learning platforms, strengthened teachers’ digital capacity, and improved classroom instruction through interactive content.
Garba urged SUBEB chairmen to institutionalize digital systems in planning, monitoring, and implementation processes to enhance accountability and learning outcomes.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Kwara SUBEB, Shehu Adaramaja, stressed the need for education stakeholders to embrace digital tools to improve coordination and policy implementation in the basic education sector.
Adaramaja said digital systems were no longer optional for coordinating between the UBE program and state education boards.
According to him, effective coordination remains central to achieving educational goals.
He warned that fragmented communication and delayed processes often weaken even well-designed policies.
Also speaking, UNICEF Education Manager, Jutaro Sakamoto, called for continuous training and retraining of teachers to improve performance.
He also pledged UNICEF’s continued support to Nigeria’s universal basic education sub-sector.
