By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Executive Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, joined education stakeholders from across the country at the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) National Project Steering Committee Meeting where she showcased the state’s success story

The meeting, convened by the Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with Save the Children International (SCI), the Grant Agent managing funds secured from GPE, brought together representatives of States benefiting from the GPE Refugee Response and Host Communities Support Grant, namely Benue, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Taraba.

A statement by the Information Officer of Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Emmanuella Akese explained that the grant is designed to strengthen access to inclusive, quality education for refugees, internally displaced learners, and members of host communities in the five beneficiary States.

Speaking at the session, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education,
Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan recalled that the project commenced on March 1, 2024, with a 22-month implementation timeline. He noted that to guarantee smooth and accountable delivery, Technical Committees and National and State Steering Committees were inaugurated on May 23 and June 14, 2024, respectively.

He commended the “remarkable achievements” recorded so far, stressing that with the project now approaching completion, attention has shifted to handover processes, sustainability planning, and the development of a transition framework for States to sustain the intervention beyond the project’s lifespan.

Representing Benue SUBEB, Dr. Adagba delivered a presentation that captured the State’s milestones, implementation lessons, and the human-impact stories emerging from schools and communities reached by the grant.

She also highlighted the sustainability measures already being put in place to preserve the gains recorded.

According to her, “Benue State remains committed to deepening support for refugee learners and host communities” adding that the next steps outlined by the State would consolidate progress made in foundational education delivery.

The meeting provided an avenue for beneficiary States to share experiences, assess project outcomes, and jointly develop strategies for sustaining the positive impact of the GPE intervention long after its duration.