The Federal Ministry of Education has noted with concern the circulation of sponsored media reports and defamatory claims targeting the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba. These allegations, propagated by an obscure and self-styled group calling itself the Education Rights Activists Coalition (ERAC), accuse her of administrative misconduct and disregard for due process. These claims are entirely false, malicious, and clearly designed to discredit a reform-driven leadership that is delivering measurable progress in Nigeria’s basic education sector.
While the Ministry would typically not respond to such baseless fabrications, the current landscape of rampant misinformation makes it critical to set the record straight. Aisha Garba is a globally respected education expert with over 24 years of experience, including 15 years at the World Bank. She has brought integrity, global best practices, and transformational leadership to UBEC—consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Under her stewardship, UBEC has recorded unprecedented achievements in improving access, equity, quality, and systemic reform. Highlights include:
-
Construction of 4,951 new classrooms and renovation of 3,070 others
-
Nationwide establishment of ECCDE centres
-
Distribution of over 353,625 units of school furniture and more than 5 million textbooks
-
Training of 147,600 teachers in modern, inclusive teaching techniques
-
Implementation of Nigeria’s largest-ever Teacher Professional Development initiative, benefiting nearly 978,800 educators
In collaboration with NERDC, a comprehensive curriculum overhaul is underway to incorporate digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking at the foundational level.
Notably, Garba has introduced key reforms in the use of the Basic Education Action Plan (BEAP) and the Matching Grant Formula, driving improved accountability and results-based funding. As a result, 28 states and the FCT have accessed ₦78.6 billion of the ₦120 billion allocated UBE funds for 2024.
Institutional partnerships have also been strengthened under her leadership, with key stakeholders including the World Bank, UNICEF, KOICA, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and FCDO. Over 15,000 community-driven projects have been implemented through the SBMC–SIP initiative. Internal governance, fiduciary control, and transparency measures have been robust—with no infractions recorded to date.
It is unfortunate that elements threatened by this progress have resorted to launching a sponsored smear campaign in an effort to derail the positive momentum achieved under Garba’s watch. These actions are not only baseless but also destined to fail.
The Ministry categorically condemns these attacks and urges the public to disregard all false claims.
On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education, I express our unwavering confidence in the leadership of Aisha Garba. We remain fully supportive of her efforts to deliver inclusive, quality basic education to Nigerian children and position the nation’s education sector for global excellence.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON
Honourable Minister of Education
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Elijah Adeyemi
