The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, has identified Delta State’s technology-driven teacher attendance tracking system, Attend360, as a model that could help strengthen teacher accountability and improve learning outcomes across Nigeria.

Garba said the platform, which uses technology to monitor teachers’ attendance and presence in schools, addresses a fundamental challenge in the delivery of quality basic education—ensuring that teachers are available and actively engaged in teaching.

“There is no education or quality learning without a good teacher or without a teacher in the classroom. You can build as many schools as you want, but as long as there is no teacher, and a good teacher, in the classroom, learning will not take place,” she said.

The UBEC boss spoke in Asaba during a courtesy visit to the Delta State Government, represented by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, as part of activities marking the 30th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs).

The meeting, which brought together UBEC management and SUBEB chairmen from across the country, was themed: “Repositioning Basic Education in Nigeria to Optimise Investment and Impact.”

Garba explained that Delta State was selected to host the quarterly meeting because of the progress it has recorded in the education sector, particularly its deployment of technology to improve school management, teacher attendance and accountability.

She commended the state for consistently accessing its Universal Basic Education (UBE) matching grants, noting that Delta had accessed its matching grant up to 2025 and remained one of the states making significant progress in basic education.

However, she urged the state government to ensure that available UBEC funds were fully utilised and approved programmes implemented without unnecessary delays.

According to her, government investments in education must translate into tangible improvements in school infrastructure, teaching quality and learning outcomes.

Garba also called on Delta State to position itself to benefit from the education component of the HOPE Education Programme, a World Bank-supported intervention with up to $500 million earmarked for education.

She explained that states seeking to participate in the programme would be required to access the 2026 matching grant and implement at least 50 per cent of their 2025 Action Plan.

The UBEC Executive Secretary therefore urged Delta to sustain its investments in education, maximise available resources and take advantage of the technical support provided by the Commission.

Responding, Deputy Governor Onyeme assured UBEC that the Delta State Government would continue to strengthen the education sector and expand access to quality education.

He clarified that the state had approximately ₦1 billion in unutilised education funds, rather than the ₦8 billion earlier referenced, adding that Delta had already implemented about 90 per cent of its 2025 Action Plan and received its 2026 matching grant.

Onyeme described education as one of the priority areas of investment for the state government, stressing that the administration would continue to improve its performance.

“We will continue to improve and do our best to ensure that we give education to as many citizens as possible,” he said.

The UBEC delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Prof. Epiphany Azinge, where Garba stressed the importance of traditional institutions and other stakeholders in advancing Nigeria’s basic education agenda.

She said UBEC was committed to ensuring that every Nigerian child, irrespective of geographical location, socioeconomic background or personal circumstances, has access to quality basic education.

“Our goal is to ensure that every Nigerian child, regardless of their circumstances or where they live, whether they come from a poor family or a rich family, must have the opportunity to receive quality basic education,” she said.

Garba commended the Asagba for supporting education initiatives in Delta State, including efforts relating to smart schools, and called for closer cooperation among traditional institutions, governments and education agencies.

In his response, the Asagba of Asaba described basic education as the foundation upon which Nigeria’s future is built, saying the early years of education are critical to nurturing, training and preparing children for the challenges of adulthood.

Prof. Azinge emphasised the importance of quality teachers in primary schools, noting that the standard of teachers ultimately determines the quality of citizens produced by the education system.

“If you have quality teachers, you produce quality people,” he said.

The traditional ruler urged UBEC and SUBEB chairmen to confront the challenges confronting basic education and develop practical solutions capable of producing lasting improvements.

He also called for greater attention to children with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, insisting that no Nigerian child should be left behind in the quest for universal access to basic education.

Garba said the engagements in Delta had reinforced the need for education investments to be matched by effective implementation, accountability and innovation.

She assured that UBEC would continue to work with state governments, SUBEBs, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to provide the technical support and collaboration required to strengthen basic education nationwide.

According to her, the ultimate objective is to ensure that investments and innovations in the sector translate into better-equipped classrooms, improved teaching and learning, and brighter prospects for Nigerian children.