The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Hajia Aisha Garba, has reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to strengthen efficiency, foster innovation, and deliver on its mandate of transforming basic education across Nigeria.

Speaking at the commission’s two-day retreat for Senior Staff (Phase 2) in Lagos, Garba described the retreat as a critical step in advancing the goals of UBEC’s 2025–2028 Strategic Blueprint. She stressed that the commission is committed to equipping teachers through its Teacher Professional Development (TPD) programme, which provides educators with the tools and knowledge to drive improved learning outcomes.

“Our mandate is ambitious because we are shaping the future of millions of Nigerian children. The way we plan, collaborate, and lead has a direct impact on what happens in classrooms across the country,” she said.

Garba highlighted the commission’s recent achievements, including the construction of over 4,900 classrooms, the establishment of 34 Model and SMART Schools, the supply of more than 353,000 units of furniture, and positive impact on over 2.3 million learners nationwide. She noted that the retreat offers UBEC a chance to reflect on progress made, identify gaps, and refine systems and structures for greater efficiency.

She urged staff to “engage, listen with openness, and think with courage,” emphasizing the need for teamwork, knowledge sharing, and interdepartmental collaboration to achieve collective goals.

Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Rasaq Olajuwon, stressed the importance of routine assessments to address systemic bottlenecks and ensure UBEC remains aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).

He noted that UBEC is fully committed to achieving the 13 ministerial deliverables tied to the Basic Education Programme. “The success of this repositioning effort depends on our collective will, collaboration, and dedication to delivering results that truly transform the lives of Nigerian children,” he added.

The retreat, which brought together UBEC management and senior staff, provided a platform to brainstorm on repositioning the nation’s basic education system to deliver more coordinated, accountable, and impactful results.