In a significant stride towards enhancing the quality of basic education across Nigeria, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, today announced the national flag-off of the 2023/2024 School-Based Management Committee – School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP) and Teacher Professional Development (TPD) initiatives. These pivotal programmes are strategically designed to elevate basic education delivery, foster continuous professional growth for educators, and empower community-driven school governance structures in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
These flagship initiatives underscore the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to prioritize investments in the education sector. The programmes aim to strengthen school-based management, cultivate more conducive learning environments, and provide robust professional development opportunities for over 223,000 teachers and school administrators nationwide.
The national flag-off ceremony, held at the UBEC Digital Resource Centre in Abuja on Monday, April 7, 2025, convened a diverse assembly of key stakeholders. Dignitaries present included the Deputy Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Basic Education and Services, Honourable Mukhtar Shagaya, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa; Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, , the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba; and other heads of Ministry Departments and Agencies; Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs); representatives from international development partners; and leaders from traditional institutions and civil society organizations.
The SBMC-SIP and TPD initiatives are integral components of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, a comprehensive national strategy focused on revitalizing public trust in the education system, unlocking the inherent potential of every Nigerian child, and building a robust foundation for sustainable human capital development.
Through the SBMC-SIP, a substantial sum of ₦2.035 billion has been disbursed to 1,147 public basic education schools across the nation. These funds will directly empower School-Based Management Committees to spearhead over 15,000 locally-driven school improvement projects. These projects encompass critical interventions such as classroom renovations, improved access to clean water and sanitation (WASH) facilities, provision of essential furniture, and enhanced perimeter security.
The Teacher Professional Development programme is poised to significantly enhance the capacity of over 223,000 teachers and education managers throughout the country. Each State has received a dedicated allocation of ₦598 million to implement targeted and impactful training programmes, marking this as one of the most extensive teacher capacity-building endeavours in the history of Nigerian education. Representatives from prominent development partners, including UNICEF, UNESCO, Save the Children, and CSACEFA, lauded the Government of Nigeria for translating its policy commitments into tangible and measurable actions. They affirmed that these programmes exemplify the transformative potential of synergistic partnerships between national leadership, community engagement, and international support in pursuit of a shared educational vision.
