Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has initiated an investigation into the activities of the Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB) due to dissatisfaction with its management.
Wike made this announcement during a visit from Dr Hamid Boboyi, Executive Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), in Abuja on Thursday.
The minister expressed concerns about the lack of comprehensive briefings on the board’s activities and the need for transparency.
He emphasised the importance of renovating schools, stating, “You cannot talk about quality education when the schools are in bad shape.”
Wike also highlighted the issue of qualified teachers and the necessity for suitable physical structures for children to learn.
He urged UBEC to intensify efforts to mobilise out-of-school children roaming the streets nationwide.
Wike also addressed the commission’s land request, stipulating that land allocation would now require an agreement demonstrating financial capacity for immediate development and a timeline for completion.
He said failure to meet these terms would result in the FCTA reclaiming the land and allocating it to capable institutions.
Wike said the decision was prompted by instances of institutions holding land allocations for 15-20 years without development, building shanties that attracted criminals, or selling the land instead of developing it.
Earlier, Boboyi commended Wike for enhancing education quality through school renovations and infrastructure development, particularly road networks.
He reassured the minister of UBEC’s commitment to improve basic education nationwide and requested approval for the commission’s 2021 application for land to build offices and housing for workers.(NAN)