The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Aisha Garba, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to quality education, regardless of their circumstances.
Garba made the declaration during the commissioning of the rehabilitated Alternative High School for Girls in Agboju, Lagos State.
She explained that the rehabilitation, carried out with support from UBEC through its UBE direct intervention, was not merely an infrastructure project but an effort to provide renewed educational opportunities for girls and young women whose schooling had been disrupted for various reasons.
According to her, girls who dropped out of school should not be considered lost causes, while young mothers who wish to return to education should not be made to feel that they have missed their opportunity.
Garba stressed that every child should have access to alternative educational pathways that would enable them to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in life.
She described the Alternative High School for Girls as an institution established to help girls and young women return to education, develop useful skills and pursue productive and fulfilling lives.
The UBEC boss urged the school to become more than a place for academic instruction, saying it should also serve as an environment where students can regain hope, build confidence and develop a renewed sense of purpose.
Garba commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising education and human capital development under the Renewed Hope Agenda. She also praised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her efforts towards the education and empowerment of girls and young women.
Represented at the event by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, the First Lady was described by Garba as a strong advocate for initiatives aimed at ensuring that no child is excluded from educational opportunities.
She noted that children affected by conflict, displacement and other difficult circumstances still possess dreams, talents and potential, stressing that they should be given the necessary support to succeed.
Garba said the Federal Government was implementing reforms under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) to improve education quality, expand access and ensure that no Nigerian child is left behind.
She added that the rehabilitation of the Agboju school reflected UBEC’s commitment to promoting inclusive education across the country.
The intervention, she explained, included the renovation of school infrastructure, provision of academic facilities and furniture for pupils, teachers and school managers, ICT equipment, laboratory and vocational tools, WASH facilities and environmental improvements.
Garba said UBEC had formally handed over the rehabilitated facility to the Lagos State Government and urged the state authorities to maintain the infrastructure and ensure that the school continues to serve its intended beneficiaries.
She also disclosed that the construction and rehabilitation of a second Alternative High School for Girls in Ikorodu was at an advanced stage, which would further increase opportunities for girls and young women seeking to return to education.
According to her, UBEC would also provide a school bus and digital smart boards for classrooms before the end of 2026.
Garba emphasised that the success of the intervention should ultimately be measured by its impact on the students rather than the appearance of the renovated facilities.
She said the real achievement would be seen in girls who regain confidence, acquire skills, secure employment, establish businesses or emerge as leaders within their communities.
The UBEC executive secretary urged residents of the Agboju community to take ownership of the school by protecting its facilities, supporting its maintenance and encouraging the girls enrolled in the institution.
