The Centre for Civil Relations, Open Dialogue and Development (CCODED) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rescind the appointment of Ms. Aisha Garba as the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), citing concerns over competence and institutional integrity.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, CCODED’s executive director, Austin Inaede, emphasised UBEC’s critical role in shaping Nigeria’s educational foundation.
He expressed concerns that the appointment of Ms. Garba might undermine the commission’s mandate.
“UBEC was established under the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act of 2004 to address Nigeria’s chronic educational challenges and ensure free, compulsory, and universal basic education for all children.
“Its leadership must reflect academic excellence, professional expertise, and a thorough understanding of Nigeria’s unique educational challenges,” he stated.
He noted that the commission has traditionally been led by individuals with advanced qualifications in education or related fields, which are necessary to effectively tackle systemic issues within the education sector.
“While Ms. Garba’s international development background is commendable, her appointment does not align with the level of experience and expertise required to lead UBEC successfully,” he said.
Inaede warned that the appointment could jeopardize UBEC’s effectiveness, politicize its operations, and erode public confidence in governance.
He stressed the importance of insulating UBEC’s leadership from political considerations to preserve its independence and efficiency.
The group also expressed concerns about the broader implications of the appointment, noting that weak leadership at UBEC could derail Nigeria’s progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which focuses on inclusive and equitable quality education.
Furthermore, he said it could harm partnerships with international organisations and donors, who expect leaders with strong qualifications and local expertise.
Inaede urged President Tinubu to reverse the appointment and instead nominate a candidate with the necessary academic credentials, local experience, and strategic vision to steer UBEC’s mandate effectively.
He also called for the adoption of transparent criteria for future appointments to key public institutions.
“This is not an attack on Ms. Garba or the President but a plea to protect UBEC’s integrity and secure the future of Nigeria’s education system. Leadership at UBEC is too critical to be entrusted to individuals without the requisite qualifications and experience,” he added.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the government to reform Nigeria’s education system and urged President Tinubu to realign appointments with the principles of merit, competence, and institutional integrity.
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