By Imran Suleiman, Maiduguri
The Federal Government on Wednesday flagged off the 28th Quarterly Meeting of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing inclusive access to quality basic education for all children across the country.
He said investing in inclusive education creates platforms where children and adults can interact, learn, and build mutual understanding.
According to the minister empowering teachers with quality training is central to national renewal, noting that strong education systems address the root causes of conflict and build resilience against extremist ideologies.
He urged participants to focus on initiatives that directly benefit Nigerians.
Dr. Alausa also commissioned the newly constructed Federal Government School in the Ngarannam area of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council. The project, funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and executed through the Federal Ministry of Education via UBEC, is designed to provide a conducive learning environment for students.
UBEC Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, described the meeting as a critical opportunity for reflection and alignment, stressing that every Nigerian child, regardless of background or income, must have access to quality and inclusive education. She commended the Minister of Education for efforts to modernise the sector and acknowledged the support of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum in advancing education in the state.
Garba reiterated UBEC’s commitment to strengthening basic education. While reforms have reached millions of children nationwide, she noted that gaps in data continue to affect accurate measurement of progress. She said the theme of the meeting reflects the focus on digital monitoring systems aimed at improving accountability, transparency, and efficiency in service delivery. UBEC has adopted digital data collection to generate reliable annual statistics, which guide planning and enable states to address specific educational needs.
Describing education as a powerful engine for national transformation and a pathway out of poverty, Garba urged participants to use the meeting to strengthen collaboration and improve ongoing initiatives, ensuring that all children are equipped to learn, create, thrive, and access opportunities.
Governor Zulum, in his remarks, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education as the foundation of development and prosperity. He said: “We have to ensure that accommodations are provided for teachers, and very soon, in sha Allah, the government of Borno State will roll out plans to motivate teachers. Most importantly, there must be a deliberate effort to encourage technical and vocational education. Therefore, very soon, Borno State Government will implement plans to increase salaries of teachers.”
The governor further stated that his administration had fully implemented the minimum wage for teachers in primary and secondary schools, highlighting the state’s continued focus on improving education standards.