Benue To Establish 50 Education Centres, Reintegrates 500 Children Into Schools

Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has hinted of the reintegration of 500 children into schools across the state.

It also announced plans to establish 50 non-formal education centres by September 2026, in line with the Accelerated Basic Education Curriculum (ABEC).

The executive chairman of SUBEB, Dr Grace Adagba, described the challenge of out-of-school children as a pressing development emergency.

Adagba stressed that access to education must go beyond mere enrollment to ensure sustained participation and meaningful learning outcomes.

The statement issued by special assistant to the SUBEB Executive Chairman on Corporate Communications and Community Engagements, Msughter Ataigbough, after a three-day multi-stakeholders’ workshop in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to develop the State Implementation Plan for Project BRACE-UP (Building Rights to Access and Compulsory Education for Un-enrolled Pupils) held in Makurdi.

Adagba commended Benue state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for his significant investments in basic education and teacher welfare, while also acknowledging UBEC’s continued support in strengthening instructional delivery.

In her keynote address, Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr Margaret AdState’saced the State’s education challenges within the broader national context, citing the alarming scale of out-of-school children and the compounded effects of insecurity, displacement, and economic disruption in Benue.

Adamu emphasised that Project BRACE-UP represents a decisive shift toward ecosystem-wide accountability, where government institutions, traditional and religious leaders, educators, and communities collectively share responsibility for enrollment, retention, and learning outcomes.

The UNICEF Chief Officer for the Enugu Zone, Juliet Chiluwe, highlighted UNICEF’s ongoing efforts to advance education in Nigeria and Benue State. She stressed the need for Benue to prioritise girl-child education and inclusion as a foundation for societal development. She pledged continued support in combating the out-of-school children phenomenon, particularly those living in IDP camps.