UBEC Commends Delta for Sustained Investment in Basic Education

By Emmanuel Eseoghene Okoro
Delta State has received commendation for its sustained commitment to the development of basic education, particularly its consistent payment of counterpart funds required to access intervention resources from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

The commendation was given at the 30th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC and State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), held in Asaba, Delta State.
Declaring the meeting open, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, described education as the most strategic investment any nation could make.

He said the true measure of investment in education was not merely the amount spent, but the quality of learning delivered, opportunities created and the future secured for children.

According to him, education remains the foundation for economic growth, social stability, innovation and national development, stressing that a strong basic education system equips children with literacy, numeracy, values and critical thinking skills necessary for lifelong learning.

The Governor said the commitment to education was a major component of his administration’s MORE Agenda, noting that sustainable development could hardly be achieved without an educated and empowered population.

He disclosed that Delta State was up to date with the payment of its UBEC counterpart fund, enabling the state to access Federal Government intervention funds.

“Our commitment is reflected in our consistent support for the Universal Basic Education programme. Delta State is up to date with the payment of its UBEC counterpart fund to access the Federal Government intervention funds,” he said.
Governor Oborevwori further disclosed that more than 300,000 pupils were enrolled in public basic schools across the state, with over 187,000 learners, representing 62 per cent of the total enrolment.

He said the state government, in partnership with SUBEB, had constructed 174 new classrooms, renovated 815 classrooms and commenced construction of 24 additional classrooms.

The Governor also disclosed that 39 perimeter fences and gatehouses had been constructed across public schools, alongside other interventions aimed at improving the learning environment.
He thanked UBEC for choosing Delta State to host the quarterly meeting and described the theme, “Repositioning Basic Education in Nigeria to Optimise Investment and Impact,” as apt and timely.

He also commended the Commission for approving two additional model smart schools for Delta State.
In her address, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, said the quarterly meeting provided an important platform for strengthening collaboration among UBEC and SUBEBs, as well as reviewing shared priorities in basic education.

She noted that basic education currently caters to more than 14 million pupils and students across Nigeria.

Garba disclosed that about ₦177 billion previously left unaccessed by states for several years was now being accessed following reforms jointly introduced and implemented.

She, however, stressed that accessing the funds was only part of the process, adding that effective utilisation of the resources remained critical to achieving meaningful impact.

The UBEC Executive Secretary announced several ongoing reforms, including the review of the 10-Year Strategic Roadmap for Basic Education, which is being extended from 2026 to 2035.
She also disclosed that the Basic Education Action Plan Management System had been fully developed to support digital planning from 2026, while minimum standards for schools were being strengthened.

According to her, a National Learning Assessment is expected to commence by the end of this year or early next year, while an additional supplementary budget for UBEC and SUBEBs had also been secured from 2026.

Garba commended the Delta State Government for consistently paying its counterpart fund, saying the commitment had enabled the state SUBEB to access intervention funds.

She also praised the state government for its efforts to strengthen basic education infrastructure and delivery.

In a goodwill message, the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, described the theme of the meeting as timely and compelling, noting that it spoke directly to the future of Nigerian children, the prosperity of communities and the destiny of the country.

The Asagba said education remained the greatest investment any nation could make, stressing that sustainable prosperity could not be achieved without substantial investment in human capital.

He noted that while oil and minerals could generate wealth and technology could accelerate growth, education creates the human capital needed to discover resources, develop technology, build institutions and sustain prosperity across generations.

“Every classroom constructed today becomes a foundation for tomorrow’s economy. Every child educated becomes a contributor to national productivity. Every competent teacher shapes not merely students but the future character of a nation,” he said.

The monarch advocated strategic investment in quality teachers and technology, stressing that digital learning should no longer be regarded as an urban privilege.

He urged stakeholders to use technology to reduce the educational inequality between rural and urban communities.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Executive Chairman of Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, Hon. Samuel Mariere, welcomed the UBEC management team and Executive Chairmen of SUBEBs from across the country to Delta State.

Mariere said the gathering demonstrated the importance attached to basic education and the collective responsibility of stakeholders to strengthen the foundation upon which the future of Nigerian children depends.

He thanked UBEC for its continued partnership with Delta State, noting that the relationship had demonstrated the value of institutional collaboration in advancing basic education.

The SUBEB Chairman also expressed appreciation to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his sustained support for basic education and his deliberate commitment to ensuring that the sector receives appropriate attention in the state's budgetary priorities.

He said the Governor’s support had provided the institutional and financial environment necessary for SUBEB to effectively deliver on its mandate.