Abuja: The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has announced an increase in the allocation for quality assurance from 2 per cent to 5 per cent of the Matching Grant provided to states. The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, revealed this development during a three-day refresher training held in Abuja for Zonal Directors, Quality Assurance Officers, and Directors of Quality Assurance from the State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Garba emphasized that the increase reflects the commission’s commitment to aligning policy with tangible resources. She highlighted the essential role quality assurance plays in enhancing Nigeria’s basic education system and stated that the training is designed to deepen stakeholders’ understanding of data-driven decision-making while aligning with emerging educational standards.

Garba remarked, “This meeting presents a critical opportunity to sharpen our skills, reinforce collaboration, and align our actions with national priorities. As quality assurance officers, your role is central to our collective success.” Additionally, she introduced a new Basic Education Action Plan (BEAP) template, which aims to improve planning, monitoring, and reporting systems across all tiers of basic education. This new template is expected to foster more focused and impactful interventions.

UBEC Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Mr. Rasaq Akinyemi, speaking at the event, reiterated the importance of quality assurance in bolstering the education system. He commended participants for their dedication and affirmed that the training would equip them with modern tools and strategies to enhance educational standards nationwide.

Mrs. Ada Ogwuche, Director of Quality Assurance at UBEC, described the training as essential in today’s dynamic educational environment. She stressed that quality assurance should be perceived as a continuous internal commitment and part of institutional culture, driven by well-equipped evaluators. “Quality assurance is not just a one-time event or an external requirement. It is a continuous internal commitment. It is a culture, and central to this culture is the capacity of our evaluators,” she stated.

In his remarks, Mr. Dele Owolabi, Director of Quality Assurance at Ekiti SUBEB and Dean of SUBEB/UBEB Directors, encouraged teamwork and active engagement to maximize the benefits of the training. He noted, “Through this meeting, we are not only enhancing our expertise but also strengthening the foundation of our educational system, one that nurtures minds, builds vision, and drives national development.”