The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has strongly defended the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Aisha Garba, following calls for a probe into the agency’s procurement processes. He attributed the allegations to individuals opposed to the far-reaching reforms currently underway at the commission.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the minister dismissed recent corruption allegations as part of a coordinated smear campaign by a group identified as the “Education Rights Activists Coalition.” The group had urged anti-graft agencies to investigate UBEC’s procurement activities and demanded that Garba step aside to allow for an independent inquiry.
Dr Alausa, however, countered these claims, stating that UBEC operates within a clearly defined legal and administrative structure. “It is not a one-person operation. Leadership in an institution like UBEC requires strict adherence to the law, institutional processes, and governance standards,” he said.
He also highlighted Dr Garba’s professional pedigree, describing her as a globally respected education expert with over two decades of experience, including 15 years with the World Bank. “She has brought integrity, professionalism, and international best practices into the operations of UBEC,” Alausa stated.
According to the ministry, Garba’s tenure at UBEC has already delivered measurable results in expanding access to quality basic education across the country. Over 5,000 new classrooms have been constructed, more than 3,000 renovated, and Early Childhood Care and Development centres have been established nationwide.
In addition, UBEC has distributed more than five million textbooks and over 350,000 units of school furniture. Teacher training has also been a major focus, with over 147,000 teachers trained in contemporary methodologies and nearly one million educators benefiting from what is described as Nigeria’s largest teacher development programme.
The ministry described the attacks against Garba as baseless and politically motivated. “These efforts are desperate and doomed to fail. The public should disregard these fabrications entirely,” the minister said, reiterating the ministry’s full support for Garba’s continued leadership.
Meanwhile, support for Garba has also come from other quarters. The Education and Tech Coalition of Activists and Social Entrepreneurs issued a joint statement commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing her to lead UBEC, noting that her reforms have significantly improved access to and the quality of basic education in Nigeria.
The coalition credited her leadership with bringing out-of-school children back into the classroom and enhancing learning outcomes through upgraded teaching tools and learning environments.
Public affairs commentator and founder of Alpha Reach, Japheth Omojuwa, also acknowledged Garba’s role in eliminating long-standing bureaucratic barriers. “For over 20 years, a single document hindered states from accessing matching grants. Aisha dismantled that obstacle,” he noted.
As the pressure mounts, both the Education Ministry and key civil society actors are standing firmly behind Dr Aisha Garba, asserting that her tenure represents a turning point for basic education reform in Nigeria.
