Call for UBE Act review dominates Prof. Adelabu’s book launch in Abuja

By Stanley Onyekwere

Strong advocacy for strategic review of the Act propelling universal basic education polices in Nigeria took centre stage yesterday, at the Professor Modupe Adeola Adelabu’s book launch in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).

In particular, several stakeholders, who spoke at the unveiling of the 197-page book titled: “Navigating the Politics of Universal Education Policies in Nigeria”, he Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) was established by the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education and Other Related Matters Act of 2004 otherwise knon as UBE ACT was overdue for re-evaluation to widen the operation of the Universal Basic Education Programme.

said the review will not only help mitigate problem of out of school children, but pave way for access to proper education of Nigerians.

Making this point, the Former Sports Minister, Bola Abdullahi, noted that although more children are attending schools than at any other time in Nigerian history, and the government is spending more money than ever, but not getting proper education.

According to him, “24 years since we commissioned the universal education, now it is about time that we review Universal Basic Education Commission law.

“At the time that law was been enacted, the change was how to bring children to school, so the commission functions more as a funding agency than as an education agency.

“Untill we look at that law again, and understand that the priority of basic education must be given to local government and state level, if not then we will continue the way we had been.”

Similarly, one of the discussants of the no book, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, noted that UBEC as a one cup swoop for all basic education policies cannot be a mode of policy implementation in a federation.

He suggested that there should be federal government intervention that focuses on this endemic problem of out of school children, as it should issue order to “projectise’ the elimination of out of school children.

He said: “I think the time has come for us to have a national review of the Universal Basic Education Policy, and I think a national council of education should provide a platform for a robust national debate on this issue based on empirical evidence presented before it.

“What has worked and what has not worked? Why is UBEC working in the south, and not working in the north? It challenges our federalism.”

Another discussant, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, stressed the need to encourage improved girl child education, to ensure that girls are taken out of the streets.

She added stakeholders should also ensure that gender mainstreaming will be made an integral part of our approach to education.

According to her, the launch of the book shows that Professor Adelabu in the publication had ensured that education continues to be a right for Nigerian children and not a privilege.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Chef Bisi Akande, who noted that there is difference between going to school and being educated, stressed the need for shift in the learning system, to ensure proper education of the people.

While aligning to the UBEC review advocacy, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, commended the author of the book, for proffering solutions to some of the most challenges confronting policymakers in the society.

He opined that the book will undoubtedly drive informed conversations around the state and future of access to education in Nigeria.

He said: “As both a theorist and a practitioner in our education sector, Prof. Adelabu’s insights are borne out of experience and passion.

” I believe this book will serve as a critical resource for all who seek to improve our educational landscape.”

Also speaking, Gov. Biodun Oyebanyi of Ekiti state said:

“Prof. Adelabu’s life is a testament to the abiding faith of God in our lives. Her quest for excellence and service to humanity is a reflection of her academic excellence and intellectualism.”

On his part, the book reviewer, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, Department of History and International Studies, Osun State University commended the author for bringing to the limelight the important role of politics and financing of education, as the major stakeholders are political players.

Not left out, Professor Adelabu, said the book is about improving education in Nigeria, which explains the choice of Abuja as the place to launch it.

She reiterated that politics and education are inseparable , as there is a symbiotic relationship between them. It is beyond the population of out of school children.

“To have the proper education, the country needs to review its educational curriculum to reflect the needs of the country to pave way for proper education.

“We need proper education that would take care of not only our domestic environment but the global environment.

Nigeria cannot stand as an island, so while we are thinking of what we need here, lets also think of how we are going to be relevant globally, and that is what I have tried to talk about in the book”, she stated.