By Peter Duru, Makurdi 

The Executive Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, has participated in the 28th Quarterly Meeting of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), where she highlighted targets of SUBEB to include increased adoption of digital monitoring systems, strengthened data-driven planning, accelerated enrolment campaigns among others. 

The Information Officer of Benue SUBEB, Emmanuella Akese in a statement disclosed that the four-day event held in

Maiduguri, Borno State with the theme “Implementation of Digital Monitoring Systems for Accountable and Transparent Basic Education Delivery” underscored UBEC’s resolve to deploy technology-driven solutions to enhance real-time monitoring, transparency and efficiency in the execution of basic education projects nationwide. 

Speaking at the opening session, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajiya Aisha Garba, stressed the urgent need for a transition from manual reporting systems to a unified digital monitoring platform. 

“We must move away from fragmented, manual processes to a comprehensive digital system that captures projects, teacher development activities, learner performance and resource utilisation across the country,” Garba said. 

Dr. Adagba, who also serves as the Dean of SUBEB Chairmen in the North Central zone, represented the National Dean of SUBEB Chairmen, Prof. Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, at the meeting. In her presentation, she provided updates on the achievements, challenges and priorities of the 36 State SUBEBs and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with particular emphasis on the North Central states. 

She highlighted notable national improvements, including stronger collaboration between UBEC and SUBEBs, expanded teacher training programmes, progress in the deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools in schools, and ongoing infrastructure development funded through matching grants. 

According to her, “While we have recorded significant progress in infrastructure development and teacher capacity building, challenges such as gaps in data management and limited digital literacy among education personnel still require urgent attention.” 

Dr. Adagba outlined key national priorities for the coming year to include increased adoption of digital monitoring systems, strengthened data-driven planning, accelerated enrolment campaigns, improved learning outcomes and enhanced transparency in all Universal Basic Education (UBE) interventions. 

As part of the meeting’s activities, SUBEB Chairmen paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum. The event also featured the commissioning of school projects by the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to improving basic education infrastructure across the country. 

One of the major highlights of the meeting was the official unveiling of the revised Matching Grant Guidelines, designed to streamline processes, strengthen accountability and improve access to intervention funds. 

The statement noted that “the meeting is expected to further deepen collaboration between UBEC and SUBEBs, paving the way for a more transparent, technology-driven and effective basic education system capable of delivering quality learning opportunities to children across Nigeria.