By Staff Reporter
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has commended the Delta State Government for its sustained commitment to the development of basic education, particularly its consistent access to the UBE Matching Grant.
The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the Asagba of Asaba Kingdom, Obi Prof. Epiphany Azinge, in Asaba.
The visit was part of activities marking the 30th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC and State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), which is being held in Delta State.
Garba, who led the UBEC management and SUBEB chairmen from across the country on the visit, said the Commission was pleased to hold its quarterly meeting in Delta.
She described the visit to the Asagba as an opportunity to pay homage to the monarch and strengthen collaboration between UBEC and traditional institutions in promoting basic education across the country.
“We deeply appreciate your unwavering support and commitment to advancing basic education in Nigeria,” Garba said.
The UBEC boss noted that Delta had maintained a strong record in accessing the UBE Matching Grant, stressing that the state had accessed all its allocations up to 2025.
She also commended the state for exploring innovative approaches to addressing challenges in the education sector, particularly through Attend360, a technology-enabled attendance management platform designed to improve teacher attendance and accountability.
According to her, initiatives such as Attend360 could strengthen systems supporting teaching and learning and ensure that investments in education produce improved learning outcomes.
Garba also highlighted the HOPE-EDU Programme, a World Bank-supported initiative with funding of more than $500 million aimed at improving education financing and strengthening foundational learning.
She explained that states seeking to participate in the programme must have accessed their 2026 UBE Matching Grant and achieved at least 50 per cent implementation of activities contained in their approved 2025 Basic Education Action Plan.
The UBEC executive secretary consequently urged the Delta State Government to sustain its investment in basic education, continue to access available UBE intervention funds and ensure their timely utilisation.
She said doing so would position the state to successfully participate in the HOPE-EDU Programme.
“We are confident that this will not only consolidate the remarkable progress already achieved but also accelerate improvements in access, quality and learning outcomes across the state’s basic education system,” she said.
Responding, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Epiphany Azinge, welcomed the UBEC delegation to Asaba, describing the visit and the hosting of the quarterly meeting as a privilege for the kingdom.
Azinge assured the delegation that the traditional institution would continue to support government efforts at all levels to provide quality basic education for Nigerian children.
“Every child in Nigeria deserves that basic education, and we know that the responsibility on you is quite enormous,” he said.
The Asagba expressed the kingdom’s support for the Delta State Government’s education initiatives, stressing that quality basic education remained fundamental to human development and the future of the country.
The visit was attended by the Delta State Commissioner for Basic Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu; SUBEB chairmen from across the country, including Delta State SUBEB Chairman, Hon. Samuel Mariere; the 25 Local Education Authority secretaries in Delta State; and members of the Council of Chiefs of Asaba Kingdom.
