Minister warns against plots to derail reforms in UBEC

The Minister for Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has warned saboteurs against plots to derail the ongoing reforms in the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). He particularly warned a coalition against smear campaign on the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba. The group had reportedly accused Garba of administrative misconduct and disregards for the rule […]

The Minister for Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has warned saboteurs against plots to derail the ongoing reforms in the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

He particularly warned a coalition against smear campaign on the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba.

The group had reportedly accused Garba of administrative misconduct and disregards for the rule of law, the claims the Minister dismissed as baseless, misleading, and malicious.

In a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, Alausa described the claim as a deliberate attempt by “disgruntled individuals” to derail the ongoing reform agenda in UBEC under Garba’s leadership.

“Aisha Garba is an internationally recognised education expert with over 24 years of experience, including 15 years at the World Bank. She has brought integrity, competence, and global best practices to UBEC,” the minister said.

The minister explained that Garba’s tenure has seen major strides in access, equity, and quality of basic education, adding that UBEC has constructed nearly 5,000 classrooms, renovated over 3,000, and established nationwide Early Childhood Care and Development centres under the secretary’s watch.

“More than five million textbooks and over 350,000 units of school furniture have also been distributed. In the area of teacher training, over 147,000 educators have been trained in modern teaching methods, and nearly 978,800 have benefitted from Nigeria’s largest-ever Teacher Professional Development initiative.

“A major curriculum overhaul to embed digital literacy and entrepreneurship is also underway in partnership with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).

“The Ministry also noted that reforms introduced under Garba’s leadership have improved the utilisation of the Basic Education Action Plan (BEAP) and the Matching Grant Formula, with ₦78.6 billion accessed by 28 states and the FCT in 2024 alone.

“Institutional partnerships have also been strengthened with major development partners, including the World Bank, UNICEF, KOICA, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Over 15,000 community projects have been implemented through the School-Based Management Committee–School Improvement Programme,” the Minister said.

He explained that no financial infractions or breaches have been recorded under Garba’s leadership, and urged the public to disregard what it called “orchestrated falsehoods.”