Alausa backs UBEC boss amid probe demands
Alausa backs UBEC boss amid probe demands
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, on Tuesday, stated that the smear campaigns targeting the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Aisha Garba, were being orchestrated by individuals opposed to the ongoing reforms within the commission.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, Alausa said the ministry would have dismissed the campaign, which he linked to a group identified as the “Education Rights Activists Coalition.”
The coalition had on Monday urged anti-corruption agencies to investigate UBEC’s procurement processes and called on Garba to step aside to allow for a thorough probe.
The President of the coalition, Odoh Dave, claimed that there was a need to probe UBEC.
Alausa, however, said, “Nevertheless, it is important that everyone understands that UBEC is a statutory body with a defined governance framework and oversight hierarchy. It is not a one-person fiefdom.
“Leadership in such a sensitive agency demands fidelity to law, respect for institutions, and adherence to procedural orthodoxy.”
He stated, “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.”
According to the minister, Garba’s tenure has “seen major strides in access, equity, and quality of basic education.
“UBEC has constructed nearly 5,000 classrooms, renovated over 3,000, and established nationwide Early Childhood Care and Development centres.”
He further noted that, “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.”
The ministry condemned the orchestrated attack against the UBEC boss and urged the public to disregard the fabrications.
“Their efforts are futile and bound to fail. The ministry strongly condemns this coordinated attack and urges the public to completely disregard these false claims,” said Dr. Alausa.
“We fully support Aisha Garba as she continues her transformative work to provide quality, safe, and inclusive basic education for Nigerian children.”
In the same vein, President Bola Tinubu has received commendation for appointing Aisha Garba as Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
In a joint statement, the Education and Tech Coalition of Activists and Social Entrepreneurs praised Tinubu’s choice, describing it as a clear indication of the administration’s dedication to education reform.
“Under Aisha Garba’s leadership, UBEC has rolled out reforms that have significantly impacted basic education nationwide.
Children previously out of school are now returning to the classroom. Her administration has enhanced education quality by improving teaching tools and learning materials,” the group stated.
Likewise, Alpha Reach founder, Japheth Omojuwa, commended Garba for removing long-standing bureaucratic barriers.
“For 20 years, a single document stood in the way of states accessing matching grants. Aisha changed that,” he noted.
