In a significant move aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s education system, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Aisha Garba as the new Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). The announcement was made on Tuesday through a statement from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Garba, an accomplished international development specialist, brings over 24 years of expertise in advancing educational initiatives across Nigeria and several other countries, including Ghana, Somalia, Kenya, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Her impressive career includes a tenure as a Senior Education Specialist at the World Bank, where she spent more than 15 years leading large-scale education reforms from conception to evaluation.
Her work spans fragile and conflict-prone environments, demonstrating her ability to implement sustainable education solutions even in challenging circumstances. Garba’s efforts have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s success in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in education. She has also consulted for international organizations such as the Department for International Development (DFID), Regent Foundation, and Muslim Aid Organization.
Garba’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in English and Computer Studies from Petra American University in Jordan and a Master’s in International Development from the University of Birmingham in the UK.
In her new role at UBEC, Garba is expected to spearhead initiatives that will provide quality education for Nigerian children, aligning with President Tinubu’s vision of improving education and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.
This appointment is seen as a key step in Tinubu’s broader agenda to revitalize Nigeria’s education system and inspire a “Renewed Hope” for the nation’s future.
