Senator Al-Makura Vows to Revamp Universal Basic Education in Nigeria, Pledges Legacy of Reform

The newly appointed Chairman of the Governing Board for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has firmly committed to revamping Nigeria’s basic education sector. He expressed his determination to leave behind a legacy that would stand the test of time.

Al-Makura, who once served as the Governor of Nasarawa State, revealed this during his formal assumption of office at UBEC headquarters in Abuja. His remarks were conveyed through a press release issued by UBEC’s Public Relations Officer, David Apeh, on Sunday.

As a long-standing advocate for accessible and quality education, Senator Al-Makura declared that his tenure would focus on overhauling foundational education in Nigeria. He emphasized his readiness to apply his lifelong experience in the education sector to revitalize learning at the grassroots level.

Appointed recently by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Al-Makura was officially inaugurated by Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, as the new Chairman of the UBEC Governing Board.

Speaking about his professional background, Al-Makura said,

“This four-year appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is something I value greatly. I’m a trained educator with a Grade II Certificate, a National Certificate in Education (NCE), and a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Social Studies.”

He elaborated further,

“I dedicated my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year to teaching before transitioning into the civil service, private entrepreneurship, and eventually politics.”

Highlighting his previous contributions, he added,

“As the Governor of Nasarawa State, I offered robust support to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). Additionally, during my tenure in the Senate, I served on the UBEC committee. This makes me a stakeholder in delivering quality education at various levels.”

Senator Al-Makura also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for appointing Hajiya Aisha Garba as the Executive Secretary of UBEC. He recalled their earlier professional encounter when she worked on a World Bank project during his governorship in Nasarawa.

Recognizing her efforts since taking office in January, Al-Makura affirmed his full support for Garba, stating that she needs continuous encouragement to fulfill the Commission’s goals effectively.

“Her efforts are commendable. However, she will require consistent backing to successfully fulfill UBEC’s mandate to transform both basic and extended levels of education,” he stated.

In her response, Executive Secretary Hajiya Aisha Garba warmly welcomed the appointment of Senator Al-Makura, whom she described as her mentor and a committed educationist.

“I am pleased to have my mentor as the UBEC Chairman. We’ve worked together in the past while I was with the World Bank and he was Governor. When I was appointed, the President instructed me to fix UBEC. I am grateful for the confidence placed in me and even more thankful for being paired with someone deeply rooted in educational development,” she said.

Garba reiterated her commitment to working hand-in-hand with Senator Al-Makura to ensure their contributions endure long after their tenures.

“Together, we aim to establish a legacy that will outlast our time in office,” she concluded.