UBEC ES Aisha Garba to prioritise domestication of PWD anti-discrimination law

Aisha Garba has set policy priorities for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) under her leadership as executive secretary.

In December 2024, Garba, a senior education specialist with the World Bank, was appointed as UBEC ES to succeed Hamid Bobboyi.

Garba delivered her inaugural speech in Abuja on Monday after assuming office.

Among her policy priorities, she said UBEC will work with states to domesticate the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act by making school infrastructure accessible for children with disability.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s basic education, Garba said available data reveal that at least 17 million children are out of school due to demand-supply barriers and other systematic issues.

Citing the World Bank Capital Index, she said students in Nigeria report 309 on the harmonised test score scale used to gauge basic education outcomes, where 625 is considered advanced attainment and 300 represents the minimum.

She said UNICEF data shows that the primary school completion rate in Nigeria was 59 percent for boys and 51 percent for girls in 2020.

She said the secondary school completion rate is even lower, with boys at 42 percent and girls at 36 percent.

The executive secretary said 48 million out of 64 million children aged 5-14 are deemed learning deficient.

Garba said access to higher education is still challenging, where only about 500,000 are accepted, out of an average of 2 million candidates who sit for the UTME yearly.

She said UBEC looks to work with states, government agencies, commissions, and development partners on reforms and interventions to increase basic education access and significantly reduce the high number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

The ES said plans are in motion to work with governors on increasing the uptake and utilisation of the UBEC matching grants through strategic partnerships and engagement.

She said UBEC will work on quality teaching and ensure appropriate instructional materials for Nigeria’s refined basic school curriculum.

“Under my leadership, we will prioritize training programs that equip teachers with up-to-date technology, innovative teaching and
pedagogical methods, and ensuring teachers are well-prepared to inspire and educate the next generation,” Garba added.

“I will support pre-primary and early childhood education working closely with communities, the private sector, and relevant stakeholders.”

Before being appointed UBEC executive secretary, Aisha Garba is said to have consulted for the World Bank, the UK Department for International Development, BOND-UK, the Regent Foundation, and the Muslim Aid Organization.

Garba is an alumna of Petra American University in Jordan, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts combined degree in English and Computer Studies in 2000.

She later got a master’s in international development at the University of Birmingham in the UK in 2007.