NASS Debukes Allegations Against UBEC Executive Secretary

House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Services and its counterpart in the Senate has debunked the recent media report alleging acts of infraction by the executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Aisha Garba, describing the report as false and misleading.

The chairman, House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Hon Mark B. Useni, who is also the member representing Takum/USA/Donga federal constituency in Taraba State in his press statement described the media report as a deliberate act of misinformation to Nigerians and the world at large about the activities of the National Assembly and the education committee.

Useni in the press statement stated that the National Assembly has not received any report of alleged acts of infraction of the UBEC Act or maladministration by the executive secretary of the commission Aisha Garba as recently reported by a section of the media.

He said the headline of the story as recently published by a section of the media misleads the public to think it is the official position of the National Assembly Committee on Basic Education.

“The Committee, together with its Senate counterpart, was in Lagos from   Thursday,17th to Sunday, 20th July, 2025, for a joint legislative retreat which strictly focused on the clause-by-clause consideration of the reports on the proposed amendment to the UBE Act.”

The House Committee chairman said the retreat was collaborative, constructive, and centred on strengthening the legal framework for basic education in Nigeria.

He said at no point during the retreat did the committee raise or deliberate on any allegations of mismanagement, administrative irregularities, or legal breaches by the executive secretary.

“Instead both Committees have received briefing from the Management of the Commission on the proposed amendment, commended the Executive Secretary on the reforms she is introducing especially in the area of quality assurance and collaboration with State UBEBs to achieve better Basic education in Nigeria.”

He concluded that it is therefore inappropriate to attempt to link the committee’s legitimate legislative work with views or allegations which are expressed on individual personal capacities.

“It important to note since the new management of UBEC was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR the Executive Secretary Aisha Garba has demonstrated a commitment to accountability and improved service delivery in the basic education sector.

“Her approach to engagement with the committee has been marked by transparency and diligence.

The Committee therefore calls on the media to act responsibly and avoid publishing personal opinions as official committee positions. Any issues or concerns regarding the operations of UBEC is expected to be communicated through the appropriate channels and in accordance with legislative procedures,” Useni stated.

LEADERSHIP reports that Hon Philip Agbese, the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadobo federal constituency of Benue State and deputy chairman while speaking on the sidelines of a joint legislative retreat on the UBE Act Amendment Bill 2025 in Lagos on Thursday, said the key provisions of the UBEC Act were being violated through unilateral decisions which was reported by a section of the media.