FG Dismisses Allegations Against UBEC Boss, Reaffirms Confidence in Leadership

The Federal Government has strongly backed the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Aisha Garba, following recent corruption allegations, labeling them as baseless distractions from her reform-driven leadership.

The Ministry of Education, through a statement released on Tuesday, clarified that the claims, circulated by a group calling for an investigation into UBEC’s procurement practices, lack merit and are considered a smear campaign by opponents of progress within the sector.

Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Education, defended Garba’s performance, citing her strategic leadership and over two decades of experience in global development and education. He noted that the current administration remains confident in her role, especially as she steers critical initiatives to improve basic education delivery across Nigeria.

Under Garba’s tenure, UBEC has achieved key milestones, including the construction of nearly 5,000 classrooms, renovation of over 3,000 facilities, and distribution of more than 350,000 furniture units. In addition, more than five million textbooks have been deployed nationwide, while thousands of teachers have received professional development training under new nationwide programs.

The ministry emphasised that UBEC operates with strict financial and procurement oversight and is not susceptible to unilateral decision-making. The government urged the public to focus on the progress being made rather than succumb to distractions.

Garba’s leadership has also received endorsements from education-focused civil society groups, who credit her with improving access to quality education and helping to reduce Nigeria’s out-of-school population.