Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has restated his administration’s commitment to the Project Zero initiative aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children and promoting a free, equitable, and innovative education system in the state.
The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, made the pledge at the 27th Quarterly Meeting of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Management with the Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) from the 36 states and the FCT. The meeting, held in Lagos, had as its theme: “Bridging the Gap Between Planning and Performance Towards Achieving Quality Basic Education.”
With data showing that more than 20 million Nigerian children are currently out of school, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged education stakeholders to deliberate and adopt purposeful strategies to reverse the trend.
UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, noted that the Commission’s programmes are in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in ensuring effective policy delivery and improved learning outcomes nationwide.
In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of Lagos SUBEB, Hakeem Shittu, highlighted the progress made under the Sanwo-Olu administration, citing massive infrastructural renewal, school construction and rehabilitation, digital learning initiatives, and prioritised teachers’ welfare and professional development.
Also speaking, the Dean and Chairman of the Forum of SUBEB Chairmen in Nigeria, Shehu Adaramaja, described the meeting’s theme as timely and praised UBEC’s transformative reforms under Dr. Garba, including the establishment of the Basic Education Evaluation Framework (BEEF) to monitor progress nationwide.
Across the zones, SUBEB Chairmen presented reports on their achievements and challenges. Infrastructure provided included classrooms, furniture, toilets, and fencing, alongside teacher capacity building, provision of learning materials, quality assurance visits, and access to matching grants—all aimed at strengthening basic education delivery across the country.