FG’s New Initiative will Tackle Education Challenges – UBEC

The Universal Basic Education Commission has expressed confidence that the new Federal Government initiative, HOPE for Quality Basic Education, will tackle over 10 million out-of-school children, overcrowded classrooms, and other challenges facing the country’s school system.

Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, made this known in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during a three-day sensitisation workshop for stakeholders from the South South and South East regions on Tuesday.

Represented by Mr Rasaq Akinyemi, Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Garba said the success of the programme depends on “transparency, accountability and collaboration.”

She noted, “We must be candid about the road ahead. Nigeria’s Basic Education faces very stark realities: over 10 million out-of-school children, overcrowded classrooms, and resource disparity that undermines equity.

“HOPE-EDU is our turning point, but its success hinges on transparency, accountability and collaboration.”

Garba explained that the programme focuses on improving learning outcomes, expanding access to quality education, and strengthening education systems.

She added that it would enhance foundational learning, literacy, and numeracy skills, particularly in rural areas.

According to her, HOPE-EDU adopts a performance-based approach, tying funding to measurable results.

“HOPE-EDU is more than a funding mechanism; it is a promise fulfilled. Aligned seamlessly with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, this initiative targets the heart of our challenges in basic education.

“Improving learning outcomes for over 29 million children, empowering 500,000 teachers, constructing 13,000 new classrooms, and bringing back over 1.5 million out-of-school children nationwide,” Garba said.

She urged stakeholders to ensure proper monitoring of the programme to track all funds spent.

“Let us prioritise the most marginalised: the girls, the orphans, the children in conflict zones. Their education is not charity; it is the cornerstone of our democracy and economy,” she added.

The National Coordinator of the programme, Dr Layi Olatawura, called on all state governors to support HOPE-EDU in improving basic education in their states.

He also thanked the Federal Government for an improved budgetary allocation to the education sector in the 2026 budget.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that the Federal Government had unveiled a $552 million HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All programme aimed at accelerating reforms in Nigeria’s basic education sector.

The initiative, facilitated by the ministry, is designed to improve foundational learning, expand access to quality basic education and strengthen education systems across participating states.