UBEC seeks multi-stakeholder partnerships in implementing $552m HOPE programme
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has urged Commissioners of Education, Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), and directors of implementing departments to foster multi-stakeholder partnerships by engaging
- By Bola Olajuwon, Assistant Editor
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has urged Commissioners of Education, Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), and directors of implementing departments to foster multi-stakeholder partnerships by engaging local governments, civil societies, parents, and private sector allies for the success of the HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All (HOPE-EDU) and the HOPE-Governance Programme.
Its Executive Secretary, Hajiya Aisha Garba, spoke on Wednesday in Lagos at a workshop on the implementation of the HOPE-EDU and HOPE-GOV Programme. This initiative was launched earlier this year with a transformative $552.18 million investment from partners - the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).
The initiative is designed to improve foundational learning, expand access to quality basic education, and strengthen education systems across participating states.
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She told the gathering that the HOPE-EDU and HOPE-GOV Programme is a turning point, but its success hinges on transparency, accountability, and collaboration among implementing stakeholders.
According to her, the programme aligns with and reinforces Nigeria’s Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), supporting measurable and accountable sector-wide reforms anchored on transparency and results.
She said HOPE-Edu and HOPE-Gov are funding mechanisms supporting the UBE programme in basic education.
Hajiya Garba asserted that the programme aligned seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, an initiative targeting the heart of the challenges in basic education by improving learning outcomes for over 29 million children, empowering 500,000 teachers, constructing 13,000 classrooms, and bringing millions of out-of-school children back to school nationwide.
According to her, the objectives are not abstract goals.
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The UBEC chief said, “These are actionable interventions, and our commissioners, SUBEB Chairs, and directors present here are responsible for this program's success in your respective states.”
“The Federal Ministry of Education and UBEC, as the federal agencies, will channel these resources and technical support to your states, but implementation happens at the grassroots, through you. You will lead needs assessments, community mobilisation, engagement and sensitisation, and on-the-ground execution.
“We must be candid about the road ahead. We have no option but to work together as key stakeholders for basic education in our respective states. The HOPE Programme is our turning point, but its success hinges on transparency, accountability, and collaboration.
“I urge you to foster multi-stakeholder partnerships by engaging local governments, civil societies, parents, and private sector allies. Let us commit to rigorous monitoring, using the digital dashboards we will roll out, to track every Naira, every activity, and every milestone.
“Above all, let us work with all children and especially the most marginalised; the special needs, Girl Child, the vulnerable, and the children in conflict zones. Their education is not charity; it is the cornerstone of our democracy and economy.
“As we embark on this sensitisation journey today, I call on each of you to discuss, deliberate, and depart with concrete action plans. Share your challenges openly so we can co-create solutions.
Let us work our way to a Nigeria where learning is strengthened to track progress and outcomes, improve quality, enhance continuous teacher capacity development and career advancement, and improve availability and quality of TLMs for schools. With all these in place, quality education is guaranteed for every Nigerian child.”
