The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Aisha Garba, has pledged that by 2030, Nigeria will witness a drastic reduction in the number of out-of-school children, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Garba made the commitment while outlining UBEC’s roadmap to deliver on the president’s vision, which includes strengthening teacher training, upgrading infrastructure, and deepening community engagement.
“My boldest commitment is to the president’s vision: that by 2030, we will drastically reduce the number of out-of-school children. Every Nigerian child, regardless of gender, location, or economic background, will have access to quality basic education in safe, inclusive, and stimulating learning environments,” she stated.
She emphasised that UBEC’s focus is not only on enrolment but also on ensuring that every child completes their education successfully. While expressing confidence in the strategies adopted, Garba stressed that long-term progress would depend on political will, sustainable funding, and active collaboration among stakeholders — including state governments, teachers, communities, and religious leaders.
According to her, UBEC is engaging directly with communities, local governments, and religious institutions to dismantle barriers that discourage parents from sending their children to school, especially where cultural or economic reasons persist.
Highlighting the gender dimension of the challenge, Garba noted that female children are disproportionately affected by cultural norms that devalue their education. “Unfortunately, females are hardest hit by culturally moulded notions that they are future wives and mothers, with their roles in the household valued more than formal education. We see practices of early marriages and views that girls will eventually leave and belong to their husband’s family. In this case, the boy’s education is often prioritised,” she explained.
Garba reaffirmed UBEC’s belief that sustained engagement with stakeholders will gradually shift these cultural practices and secure better educational outcomes for girls across the country.
