By Ngozi Nwankwo
Universal Basic Education Commission,UBEC, has flagged off the distribution of 140,000 instructional materials to Federal Capital Territory, FCT, public basic schools.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony held at the Model Junior Secondary School in Maitama, Abuja on Thursday, the UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Dr Aisha Garba, said items, which were around 140,000 in number, were expected to impact no fewer than 10,000 pupils in the FCT.
Garba emphasised that education remains the cornerstone of national development, adding UBEC is committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to quality education.
She said the distribution formed part of UBEC’s nationwide intervention aimed at strengthening teaching and learning outcomes in public schools.
According to her, the initiative reflects sustained collaboration between UBEC and State UBEB to improve infrastructure, teacher capacity and access to learning resources across the country.
“This initiative seeks to ensure that every Nigerian child receives quality education.
“It is also to empower them with teaching and learning material to improve learning outcomes as well as improve their experience in the classroom, to be able to compete globally,” she said.
Garba disclosed that more than 10,000 classrooms had recently been constructed nationwide under UBEC interventions.
She added that over 500 teachers had benefited from capacity-building programmes, while more than 400,000 teaching and learning material had been distributed to schools.
The UBEC boss also said that over seven million core textbooks had been supplied to students nationwide to enhance literacy and classroom engagement.
“Working together with our partners, particularly at the grassroot level, we have worked together to bring back 700,000 out of school back to school. This is a big milestone.
“Today’s event represents a continuation of the nationwide effort reinforced by the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which places the Nigerian child at the centre,” she said.
She said the commission had also distributed more than 100,000 Quranic learning material targeted at out-of-school children, particularly those in Tsangaya Islamic education systems.
Garba announced that the FCT had received substantial instructional material, including more than 137 core textbooks, over 7,000 packs of pencils and exercise books, and more than 40 interactive smart boards.
She added that over 30 desktop computers, school bags, shoes and other instructional material were also distributed to support effective teaching and learning.
According to her, the material represents critical tools for transforming basic education and strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy among pupils.
She commended the FCT Administration for its sustained investment in improving school infrastructure and learning environments.
Garba reaffirmed UBEC’s commitment in collaboration with SUBEB to continue to invest in interventions that directly address educational gaps.
She said “The instructional materials we are distributing today are not just books; they are tools of empowerment—resources that will enable our teachers to teach more effectively and our pupils to learn more meaningfully.
” I must commend the leadership of FCT SUBEB for this timely flag-off and remain optimistic that these materials will reach the end users as soon as possible. I also urge the FCT Administration to replicate this and other related initiatives through its annual statutory budget, especially in terms of the timely release of counterpart funding for UBE projects, so that together, we can strengthen the quality of our basic education as well as minimize the incidence of out-of-school children in the FCT and indeed in Nigeria over time.”
The Executive Secretary also urged teachers to make optimal use of these materials.
“They are provided to support your noble work of shaping young minds.,” she said.
To the students, Garba encouraged them to embrace learning with enthusiasm, knowing that education is the key that unlocks endless opportunities.
Speaking also, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Education Secretariat, Dr Danlami Hayyo, disclosed that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike was making the Tinubu’s agenda a reality in the FCT education sector.
Hayyo said that the minister had awarded the rehabilitation and renovation of 108 schools with a significant number completed so far.
Mrs Florence Wenegieme, acting Executive Chairman, FCT Universal Basic Education Board,FCT UBEB, said that the distribution of the material would strengthen teaching and learning in FCT basic public schools.
According to her, the instructional material support marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of educational excellence in the FCT.
“To our teachers, students, and pupils, this initiative is for you.
“The material being distributed today aim to enhance the teaching and learning process, and we encourage their effective use.”
Wenegieme thanked UBEC for their unwavering support to improve the quality of teaching and learning in basic schools.
