Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has pledged to collaborate with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to deliver quality education across the country, especially in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu made the commitment on Friday during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary and Board Members of UBEC to Alausa, Ikeja.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the governor stressed that education must remain a top priority for the nation.
“Education is the foundation of national development. In 2025, no child in Nigeria should be left out of school. Education should not be about region, culture or tradition. It is a fundamental right. If we get primary education right, the future of our children will be secured,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to partner with UBEC in providing qualified teachers, ensuring security, and completing infrastructure for the Smart Model School built by the Commission in Lagos.
He also emphasised the need for peer review among states and encouraged UBEC to promote real-time knowledge sharing to meet the needs of every region.
Sanwo-Olu added that best practices in Lagos and other states could be replicated nationwide to advance national development.
He further stressed the importance of education in achieving Nigeria’s self-sufficiency, saying the country must never depend on external powers for its progress.
The governor commended UBEC’s new funding model, which allowed states to channel resources according to specific needs instead of a uniform template.
He urged education stakeholders to embrace data-driven planning, give more attention to special needs pupils, and provide proactive health checks for children.
“This includes vision and hearing assessments, to ensure no child is left behind,” he said.
In her remarks, UBEC Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, said the Commission sought to partner with Lagos State to replicate its successful basic education model in other states.
She noted that Lagos had become a reference point in achieving education outcomes, with many SUBEBs reaching out to learn from its experience.
Garba also emphasised the Commission’s interest in working with Lagos to support SUBEBs in the South-West, especially in private sector collaboration and expanding access to quality education.
She highlighted UBEC’s desire to sustain schools it had built in Lagos, citing the example of a mathematics school in Badagry, equipped with modern technology and a capacity for nearly 1,000 students.
“We’d like to request partnership in ensuring the school is fully secure so we can install all the items procured for the smart school,” she said.
(NAN)