By Benson Daniel
The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr Aisha Garba, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to quality education, regardless of personal, social or economic circumstances.
Garba said no child should be denied the opportunity to learn, develop their abilities and fulfil their potential because of circumstances beyond their control. She made the declaration during the commissioning of the rehabilitated Alternative High School for Girls in Agboju, Lagos State.
According to her, the rehabilitation of the school goes beyond the provision of physical infrastructure, describing the project as an investment in girls and young women whose education had been interrupted for different reasons.
She said providing opportunities for such children to return to learning remained important to the country’s development, particularly as education plays a major role in equipping young people with the knowledge and skills required to become productive members of society.
Garba said the true success of the intervention would not be measured by the appearance of the rehabilitated school but by the positive changes it brings to the lives of the girls who pass through the institution.
She expressed optimism that the beneficiaries would acquire relevant skills, secure employment, establish businesses and assume leadership roles within their communities.
The UBEC boss also announced that the commission would provide a school bus and digital smart boards for classrooms at the institution before the end of 2026.
She said the additional facilities would complement the rehabilitation work and create a more conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Garba urged members of the Agboju community to take ownership of the school by protecting the facilities and ensuring that the infrastructure provided through the intervention is properly maintained.
She also called for collective support for the girls, stressing that government interventions could achieve greater impact when communities, parents, teachers and other stakeholders worked together.
The intervention comes amid continuing efforts to expand access to basic education and create alternative pathways for children and young people whose education has been disrupted.
For UBEC, ensuring that children remain connected to education is critical to addressing inequality and creating opportunities for young Nigerians to develop their abilities.
Garba’s position underscores the commission’s broader responsibility to support basic education interventions across the country and ensure that investments in schools translate into improved learning opportunities for children.
She maintained that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and realise their potential, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their upbringing.
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