President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Aisha Garba, an international development expert, as the new Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Garba as a seasoned education specialist with over 24 years of experience in designing and implementing impactful education programmes across Nigeria and beyond.
The statement read in part, “With over 15 years of hands-on experience at the World Bank, Garba has consistently led end-to-end design and management of education programmes and reforms, from conceptualisation to completion and impact assessment.”
Garba graduated from Petra American University in Jordan in 2000, where she earned a combined degree in English and Computer Studies. She later obtained a Master’s in International Development from the University of Birmingham, UK, in 2007.
Onanuga also noted that Garba had consulted for organizations such as the World Bank, the Department for International Development (DFID), BOND-UK, Regent Foundation, and Muslim Aid Organization.
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Onanuga further explained that Garba is expected to share her extensive network with state governments, development partners, and communities.
“She will bring to bear the skills she acquired working in fragile, conflict, and violent settings to deliver sustainable solutions in Nigeria’s basic education.”
Garba has also previously worked on the team that helped Nigeria meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in Garba’s ability to fulfill the administration’s vision for quality basic education, saying, “With her extensive experience and a proven track record in education and human development, the President expects Aisha Garba to lead UBEC in delivering sustainable solutions that will enhance access to quality education for Nigerian children.”
In conclusion, the statement added, “The President is confident that her appointment will drive the administration’s vision of providing quality basic education and ensuring Nigerian children are equipped to compete on a global scale.”
