The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has partnered with the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development to mobilise traditional and religious institutions across Nigeria in tackling the growing challenge of out-of-school children.

The partnership, formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is aimed at identifying out-of-school children, facilitating their enrolment in schools and strengthening community participation in school attendance, retention and completion.

The initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises investment in education infrastructure, teacher development and expanded access to quality basic education.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Rasaq Akinyemi, said the partnership would strengthen grassroots efforts to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to basic education.

She said the Renewed Hope Agenda recognises education as a critical foundation for national development and human capital advancement, adding that UBEC’s interventions were designed to translate the government’s vision into measurable improvements in the basic education sector.

Garba acknowledged the policy direction of the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, noting that their commitment to improving institutional coordination, expanding access and strengthening the quality of education continues to guide the Commission’s programmes.

Highlighting UBEC’s achievements, she disclosed that the Commission, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), had facilitated the construction of more than 4,900 classrooms, renovation of existing school facilities and provision of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities across the country.

According to her, the infrastructure interventions had directly benefited more than 2.3 million learners by the end of 2025.

She added that UBEC had also intensified community-driven school improvement programmes and teacher professional development initiatives to strengthen school management and improve teaching and learning outcomes.

On the new partnership, Garba explained that the Sultan Foundation would provide a platform for connecting government education policies with traditional leadership and grassroots action, particularly in underserved communities where poverty, cultural barriers and other social challenges hinder children’s access to education.

Under the agreement, national, state and local coordinating committees will be established to drive advocacy and mobilisation, with traditional and religious leaders expected to play key roles in encouraging families to prioritise their children’s education.

The partnership will also support the development of advocacy materials in Hausa, Fulfulde and Yoruba, household-level identification of out-of-school children and their enrolment in nearby schools.

It will further strengthen community monitoring of school attendance, retention and completion, while introducing accountability mechanisms to recognise communities, schools and traditional leaders that record measurable progress in expanding access to basic education.

The UBEC boss stressed that traditional and religious leaders remained critical to the success of the initiative because of their influence in shaping community values, influencing family decisions and mobilising grassroots support.

She particularly emphasised the need to promote girls’ education and address social and cultural barriers preventing children from benefiting from educational opportunities.

Garba said the success of the partnership would be measured by increased school enrolment, improved attendance and retention, better learning outcomes and a sustained reduction in the number of out-of-school children.

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, who represented Governor Nasir Idris, commended the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development for its contributions to health and social development, particularly through interventions supported by development partners, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

He said Kebbi State appreciated the Foundation’s efforts to improve the welfare and educational opportunities of vulnerable children, describing its commitment to disadvantaged children as consistent with the values of Islam and humanity.

Tafida also conveyed the goodwill of Governor Idris to UBEC, the Sultan Foundation and the Nasara Foundation.

Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to the Federal Government’s education reforms, Garba assured that UBEC would continue to deepen strategic partnerships and strengthen the implementation of basic education programmes in collaboration with state governments and other stakeholders.

She said the Commission remained committed to advancing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through sustained investment and inclusive interventions aimed at ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to quality basic education.