Tinubu: Scrap Universal Basic Education Commission

Dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

I write to you today as a concerned citizen deeply passionate about the future of our nation’s education system. It is with utmost respect that I address this open letter to Your Excellency to bring to your attention the pressing need to consider the scrapping of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme and in its place strengthen the operations of Local Education Authorities (LEAs).

The UBE programme was introduced in 1999 with the noble intention of providing a standardised free and compulsory education for all Nigeria children. Numerous academic studies have pointed out its ineffective operation as it failed to accomplish its objectives. Over N15 billion Jonathan’s Almajiri schools rot away, the World Bank donated $611m to Nigeria under the Better Education Service Delivery for All programme, about $100m was spent in the National School Feeding Programme as part of efforts to address the issue of out-of-school children, but unfortunately the rate of out-of-school children continued to increase from 10.8 million in 2019 to 20 million in 2022 as indicated by UNESCO.

It has become increasingly apparent that this one-size-fits-all approach falls short of addressing the diverse and complex educational challenges faced by different regions within Nigeria. The decentralisation of educational decision-making has the potential to bring about a more equitable, effective, and responsive education system.

Empowering LEAs is a crucial step in this direction. These authorities, embedded within local communities, have a more intimate understanding of the unique needs, and challenges their regions face. By giving LEAs greater autonomy in shaping their local education systems, we can better cater to the specific requirements of students and communities across Nigeria. For example, in the United States of America, where education activities are overseen and managed by local districts, it is one of the reasons why they have one of the world’s top education systems.

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Tinubu: Scrap Universal Basic Education Commission

Here are some key reasons to consider this shift:

Local expertise: LEAs are better equipped to identify and address local educational challenges and opportunities. They have a better understanding of the cultural, social, and economic factors influencing the education of their constituents.

Flexibility: The ability of LEAs to tailor educational programmes, curriculum, and policies can address the specific needs of their regions. This can result in more effective learning outcomes.

Community engagement: Decentralising education empowers local communities to take an active role in the decision-making process, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for the quality of education in their areas.

Resource allocation: LEAs can direct resources more efficiently to meet the needs of their communities, potentially reducing waste and ensuring better use of educational funds.

I understand that such a transformative change will not be without challenges and will require careful planning, investment, and support. However, it is our belief that this shift can result in a more inclusive, responsive, and equitable education system that better prepares our youth for the challenges of the future.

I kindly request Your Excellency to consider convening a national dialogue on this matter, involving education experts, stakeholders, and community representatives. Through open discussions, we can collectively work towards the best way to transition from the UBE program to a system that empowers our LEAs. I remain hopeful that your leadership will guide Nigeria towards a brighter educational future.

Tijjani Mukaddas Hadejia wrote from Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, United States.