Basic education stakeholders from across Nigeria have converged in Asaba, Delta State, for the 30th Quarterly Meeting of the Management of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), with a call for renewed commitment to transforming investments in the sector into measurable learning outcomes.
The four-day meeting, with the theme, “Repositioning Basic Education in Nigeria to Optimize Investment and Impact,” is focused on strengthening the delivery of quality basic education, improving resource utilization and ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to a safe, inclusive and conducive learning environment.
Declaring the meeting open, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, said education remains central to his administration’s MORE Agenda, stressing that the impact of investments in basic education is already being felt across the state.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, the Governor disclosed that more than 302,000 pupils are enrolled in Delta State public basic schools, with over 187,000 learners, representing 62 per cent, benefiting directly from various interventions.
He said the state, working with the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (D-SUBEB), had constructed 174 new classrooms, renovated 815 classrooms and commenced the construction of 24 additional classrooms.
According to him, the state has also constructed 39 perimeter fences and gatehouses, provided 230 VIP toilets and installed 12 solar-powered boreholes to create safer and healthier learning environments.
“At the SMART School in Orogun, hostels, refectory blocks and staff quarters have been completed to support technology-driven learning,” the Governor added.
Governor Oborevwori disclosed that he had earlier approved the 2026 UBEC counterpart fund after the state fulfilled its 2025 obligation, noting that no investment is too great when it concerns the future of children.
He stated that the real value of education investment should be measured by its impact on learning and the opportunities it creates for future generations.
“The true measure of investment in education lies not in what we spend, but in the quality of learning we deliver, the opportunities we create, and the future we secure for our children,” Oborevwori said.
The Governor commended UBEC for approving two additional Model SMART Schools for Delta State, noting that the state government had already provided the required land.
He also highlighted investments outside the SUBEB framework, including the provision of over 200 classrooms and 15,000 furniture units by the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education.
He said the state was also developing new Government Technical Colleges equipped with modern workshops to provide young people with practical and relevant skills.
On teacher development, Governor Oborevwori disclosed that more than 5,500 teachers had been trained in Jolly Phonics, STEP, SMASE and School-Based Training, while 53 community tutors had been deployed to underserved communities.
He added that all 16 professional development programmes planned for 2026 had been implemented.
To further motivate teachers, the Governor said the state had approved career progression from Grade Level 14 to Grade Level 17.
“No education system can rise above the quality of its teachers. That is why teacher recruitment, welfare, motivation, and professional development remain priorities in Delta State,” he said.
The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, commended the Delta State Government for its hospitality and strategic investments in basic education.
She disclosed that states had now fully accessed over ₦177 billion in UBE Matching Grants, but expressed concern that more than ₦65 billion in counterpart funding and approximately ₦267 billion in previously released intervention funds remained unutilized.
Garba stressed that accessing education funds was only part of the responsibility, urging states to ensure that available resources were deployed promptly for the benefit of learners.
“Accessing funds is only part of the responsibility before us. These resources cannot improve education while they remain in accounts,” she stated.
The UBEC Executive Secretary said the scale of the challenges confronting basic education required states to look beyond traditional sources of funding and strengthen partnerships with the private sector and development partners.
She announced the review of UBEC’s Ten-Year Strategic Roadmap to cover the period 2026–2035, as well as the rollout of the Basic Education Action Plan Management System, BEAP-MS, to digitize state-level planning.
She also announced the implementation of the HOPE-EDU Operation, supported by a World Bank loan of over US$500 million, aimed at strengthening basic education outcomes.
Dr. Garba further highlighted the Whole School Approach and the National Learning Assessment, conducted in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, as important tools for evidence-based interventions and improved learning outcomes.
The host Chairman of D-SUBEB, Hon. Samuel Mariere, in his welcome address, said the hosting of the meeting demonstrated Delta State’s commitment to basic education.
Mariere expressed appreciation to UBEC for its partnership and to Governor Oborevwori for creating an enabling environment for the development of the education sector.
He said the investments being made by the administration reflected a leadership philosophy that regarded education not merely as expenditure but as an investment in the future of the state.
“These initiatives reflect a leadership philosophy in which investment in education is viewed not simply as expenditure, but as an investment in the future of Delta State. This is why we at D-SUBEB refer to His Excellency as the ‘Making a Difference Governor’, he said.
The SUBEB Chairman commended Governor Oborevwori’s vision for deploying SMART Board technology and digital monitoring systems to address teacher absenteeism in public basic schools.
He noted that technology could serve not only as a learning tool but also as an instrument for strengthening accountability and institutional effectiveness.
Mariere also appreciated the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Tobore Oborevwori, for her interventions in support of vulnerable children.
He stressed that the success of an education system should not be measured only by what it provides for the majority, but also by its ability to reach children and communities most in need.
The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Obi Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, described education as the greatest investment any nation could make.
The monarch said the real wealth of Nigeria lies in the minds of its children, stressing that while natural resources could generate wealth, education provides the human capital required to discover resources, develop technology, build strong institutions and sustain prosperity.
He identified quality teachers, technology, community ownership and accountability as four critical pillars for the advancement of basic education in Nigeria.
Obi Prof. Azinge disclosed that his palace had moved beyond traditional rulership to what he described as traditional governance, with the palace undertaking school visits and providing learning aids and furniture.
He further announced that the palace was constructing a SMART School which would be donated to the Delta State Government upon completion.
The Asagba stressed that an education system should ultimately be judged by how effectively it serves the most vulnerable members of society.
In their goodwill messages, stakeholders acknowledged the importance of accountability, innovation and collaboration in advancing inclusive and equitable basic education.
They called for stronger partnerships among UBEC, SUBEBs, development partners, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, stressing the need for stakeholders to openly confront the challenges facing the sector, share successful strategies and identify areas where stronger collaboration could deliver better results.
The speakers maintained that a strong and productive relationship between UBEC and SUBEBs remained essential to achieving sustainable improvements in Nigeria’s basic education system.
The meeting continues with technical sessions focusing on planning, resource utilization, digital transformation and strategies for expanding access to safe, inclusive and quality basic education across the country.
The opening session also featured cultural and musical performances and other attractions showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Delta State.
