Nigeria’s Ministry of Education has dismissed allegations against the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Hajia Aisha Garba

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa in a statement by the ministry’s Director of Press Boriowo Folashade stated that the ministry has noted with concern recent media publications containing baseless, sponsored, and libellous allegations against the Executive Secretary.

The minister said claims peddled by a faceless group identifying itself as the “Education Rights Activists Coalition (ERAC)” are entirely without merit and appear to be the handiwork of subversive elements threatened by the bold reforms currently underway in the basic education sector.

Dr. Alausa refuted these reports, describing them as baseless, sponsored, and completely untrue.

“The accusations of administrative misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of procedure are not only false but clearly part of a calculated smear campaign targeted at discrediting the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” he said

He reaffirmed the Ministry’s full confidence in Dr. Garba’s leadership and condemned the false narrative as an attempt to derail the positive reforms being implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Undermine the progress

“Ordinarily, the Ministry would not dignify such falsehoods with a response. However, allowing these fabrications to fester unchallenged could mislead the public and undermine the progress being made,” he said.

According to him, since her appointment, Hajia Aisha Garba who is a seasoned education expert with over 24 years of global experience, including 15 years at the World Bank has demonstrated exemplary leadership and accountability in repositioning UBEC as a transformative institution.

“Under her leadership, UBEC has transitioned from merely disbursing grants to driving systemic reforms focused on quality, equity, financing, and institutional strengthening. Notable achievements include the construction of 4,951 new classrooms, renovation of 3,070 classrooms, establishment of Early Childhood Care Development and Education (ECCDE) centres, provision of 353,625 furniture units, and distribution of over 5 million textbooks.

“UBEC has also trained more than 147,000 teachers and revised the Minimum Basic Education Standards to promote safer and more inclusive learning environments nationwide.

“Additionally, the Commission launched Nigeria’s largest-ever teacher professional development programme, reaching nearly 978,800 teachers. In partnership with the NERDC, UBEC initiated a curriculum reform to embed digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking in the basic education system,” he said.

On financing, the Minister explained that the Hajia Garba led administration brought reforms to the Basic Education Action Plan (BEAP) and Matching Grant formula, introducing results-based planning, flexible funding for state-specific needs, and dedicated budget lines for EMIS, teacher training, digital tools, and teaching materials.

“These innovations, combined with high-level advocacy, have led to ₦78.6 billion out of the ₦120 billion UBE intervention fund for 2024 being accessed by 28 states and the FCT,” he said.

“UBEC, under her leadership, has also deepened collaborations with critical stakeholders including the Federal Ministry of Education, State Ministries of Education, State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs),” he said.

Others, he said includes the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, and international development partners such as the World Bank (HOPE-Edu and BESDA-AF), UNICEF, KOICA, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), all working together to improve access, quality, and equity in Nigeria’s basic education system.

“The School-Based Management Committee–School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP) has supported over 15,000 local projects, promoting grassroots participation and accountability in education delivery.

“In light of these undeniable strides, the Ministry reaffirms its full confidence in Aisha Garba’s leadership and commends her unwavering focus on transparency, inclusion, and excellence,” he said.

The ministry Urges the Executive Secretary and the UBEC team to remain resolute and undistracted in their mandate to deliver quality, safe, and globally competitive education for every Nigerian child.

Lateefah Ibrahim

The Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has donated the sum of 1 billion to support victims of various disasters in Niger State.

She announced the donation during a sympathy visit to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago at the Government House in Minna, Niger State, North-Central Nigeria.

This marks the second humanitarian visit by the President’s wife to Niger State this year. During her first visit in February, she donated 100 million to assist victims of the Dikko Junction tanker explosion.

This latest 1 billion donation is aimed to support communities affected by floods, banditry, boat mishaps, and fire outbreaks across the state. Relief materials including clothes, shoes, and 2,000 bags of 50kg rice were also distributed.

Senator Tinubu described the recurring disasters in the state as “one too many,” stating that the donation was part of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s effort to console and support victims, especially those affected by the recent floods in Mokwa, which led to the loss of lives and displacement.

Healing for the injured

She offered prayers for the bereaved families, healing for the injured, and strength for those affected.

The visit also featured the symbolic presentation of 50,000 grants to selected beneficiaries to help stabilise existing businesses, with support from the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the Office of the Niger State First Lady, Fatima Bago.

According to Senator Tinubu, the initiative has already supported the payment of school fees and the sustenance of livelihoods for many vulnerable families in the state.

Lateefah Ibrahim

The Nigeria Association Of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Zone D, has appealed to the Federal Government to further equip security agencies and the military to counter insurgency.

The Association also harped on the need for the deployment of more sophisticated weaponry as well as surveillance technologies in the war against violent crimes in the country especially in North Central Nigeria, with recurring attacks on communities, particularly in Benue and Plateau States and the attendant consequences on women and children.

NAWOJ Zone D equally called on the six state governments and the FCT administration, as well as the security agencies on the zone to urgently address the security threats through proactive policing, timely arrests and judicious prosecution of perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to others.

It stressed that the protection of lives and property must remain a top priority of government at all levels.

The resolutions were contained in a communique issued at the end of the Nigeria Association Of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Zone D, Bi-monthly Zonal Virtual Meeting.

The Bi-monthly Zonal meeting was presided over by the Vice President Zone D, Mrs. Chizoba Ogbeche, and attended by the Zonal Secretary, Juliana Ofoku; Zone D BoT, Annah Daniel; Zone D Ex-officio, Anne Olurinde, as well as Chairpersons and Secretaries of the state chapters, after extensive deliberations on matters affecting the Association and the nation.

NAWOJ Zone D expressed profound appreciation to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Remi Tinubu, for her show of empathy and generous donation towards the rehabilitation of victims of violent attacks in Plateau and Benue States.

It also appealed to the State Governments to ensure that the funds are transparently and efficiently disbursed to the actual victims and affected communities.

The female journalists raised concerns on the disruption of education of children displaced by the attacks and the need to ensure that these pupils do not drop out of school and add to the teeming number of out-of-school children in the country.

NAWOJ Zone D also urged the Wife of the President and the First Ladies in the affected states to not only empower women in the affected areas but to ensure that the education of the children is not cut short.

It similarly appreciated female journalists’ in the zone, women groups, and the civil society for the coordinated campaign for the Special Seats for Women in the Parliament Bill, especially during the public hearing by the National Assembly in the Zone and across the country; harping on the need to sustain the campaign and continued lobbying of legislators until the Bill is passed into law.

NAWOJ commended the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) for early warnings about heavy rainfall and identifying flood prone areas across the country as well as warning of possible flash floods.

NAWOJ Zone D, however, called on the Federal Government to seek permanent solution to flood prevention encompassing both structural and non-structural measures including construction of dams, drainages and adherence to early warning signs by citizens.

The Association also appealed to residents of riverine and flood-prone communities to relocate to higher grounds and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to create robust awareness on dangers of flooding.

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has approved the promotion of thirty Controllers of Corrections (CCs) to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections (ACG).

This decision is in line with its commitment to merit-based advancement, professional excellence, and the continuous strengthening of leadership within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

Among the newly promoted officers are twenty-seven general duty officers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and operational competence in various formations across the country.

In addition, three professional officers have also been elevated in recognition of their outstanding service and specialised contributions in the areas of Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Public Health.

A statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar said, this promotion exercise reflects the ongoing reform agenda in the Service, in line with the Renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the leadership of the Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

“The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, has congratulated the newly promoted officers and urged them to redouble their effort to service delivery, strategic leadership, and the core mandates of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates,” he noted.

He emphasised that the promotion is not only a reward for past performance but also a call to higher responsibility in line with global best practices in correctional management.

He reiterated that the Service remains committed to building a motivated, disciplined, and professional workforce capable of meeting the complex demands of modern corrections and public safety.