UBEC vows to address out-of-school children

Strengthening Education Access for Nigerian Girls

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the challenge of out-of-school children in Nigeria. This pledge was made during an official handover ceremony of the Luminah 2030 initiative, which took place in Abuja. The event marked a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to improve access to education, especially for girls.

Aisha Garba, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, highlighted the importance of this initiative during the handover. She emphasized that the commission will align its operations with the frameworks of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) to ensure the program's ownership and scalability. By integrating with these local structures, UBEC aims to guarantee that the program is effectively implemented across different regions.

Luminah 2030, launched under the Federal Ministry of Education in March 2025, is a flagship program designed to empower one million underserved Nigerian girls. The initiative focuses on providing access to education, vocational training, and community support by 2030. It is currently being implemented in 12 pilot states spread across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. These states include Yobe, Taraba, Kano, Jigawa, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory, Ebonyi, Anambra, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, and Oyo. The goal is to scale up the program nationally by 2030.

Garba, represented by the Commission’s Deputy Executive Secretary, Technical, Razak Akinyemi, explained that incorporating Luminah 2030 would strengthen UBEC’s ongoing efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children and improve learning outcomes, particularly for girls in rural and low-income communities. She noted that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on inclusive and equitable quality education.

According to Garba, collaboration with SUBEBs is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of the program. She assured stakeholders that UBEC would prioritize transparency and accountability in the disbursement of funds and deployment of resources under the Luminah 2030 program. She emphasized that the journey would remain collaborative, with every partner, stakeholder, and state having a voice and role as they advance together.

Garba also mentioned that although the implementation of Luminah 2030 is now housed within UBEC, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Luminah Committees remain central to this initiative. Their continued policy oversight, technical guidance, and strategic direction will be critical in ensuring that the program stays aligned with the national vision for education and Sustainable Development Goal 4.

In addition to UBEC's efforts, Amina Haruna Buba, the National Coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment Project in Nigeria, spoke about the origins of Luminah 2030. She stated that the initiative was conceived by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, as a bold and transformative response to Nigeria’s education crisis. The program addresses socio-economic barriers, cultural norms, and financial constraints that keep millions of girls out of school.

Buba highlighted that Luminah 2030 integrates access, foundational learning, skills development, and community engagement to ensure that no child is left behind. The initiative represents a comprehensive approach to tackling the challenges faced by girls in accessing education, aiming to create long-term change and sustainable progress.