UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION (UBE) POLICY
Policy · Education
A Policy guarantees free, compulsory, and quality basic education for every child in Nigeria. It targets school-age children, especially those in disadvantaged groups like girls, rural children, and children with disabilities. This aims to eradicate illiteracy and promote equity in education.
What Is This Policy?
The Universal Basic Education (UBE) Policy is Nigeria’s national framework for guaranteeing free, compulsory, and quality basic education for every child
Who Does It Target?
The UBE Policy primarily targets children of school age, especially those in disadvantaged groups (girls, rural children, children with disabilities, and the poor).
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
The UBE Policy is Nigeria’s blueprint for ensuring that every child receives free, compulsory, and quality basic education. It aims to eradicate illiteracy, promote equity, improve quality, and strengthen national development by targeting children, teachers, parents, and institutions across the country.
Key Features
Curriculum Standards: UBEC sets minimum standards for curriculum, infrastructure, and teacher quality to ensure consistency nationwide. Teacher Development: Focus on recruitment, training, and professional development to improve teaching quality. Community Participation: Encourages parents, local communities, and NGOs to take part in school management and accountability.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: fully operational Coverage: applies nationwide Beneficiaries to Date: students nationwide Funding: federal and state government, donors and partners
Important Terms
Term 1-Free & Compulsory Education Guarantees 9 years of schooling (6 years primary + 3 years junior secondary) at no cost to families. Term 2- Access & Equity Targets disadvantaged groups such as girls, rural children, and children with disabilities to reduce inequality.
Official Resources
UBEC website: https://ubec.gov.ng Contact Information Headquarters Address: UBEC Building, No. 7 Gwani Street, Wuse Zone 4, PMB 5086, Post code 900284, Abuja, Nigeria Telephone: +2349038022457, +2347016390000 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm 📌 Leadership Executive Secretary: Oversees UBEC operations and implementation of the UBE Policy. Deputy Executive Secretaries: Handle technical and service-related aspects of education delivery. Link to document- Link to document
Legal Framework
The Universal Basic Education Policy derives its primary legislative authority from the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act 2004 and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Act. It operates alongside the National Policy on Education (6th Edition), the Child Rights Act 2003, and the 1999 Constitution (Section 18 — educational objectives). The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and UNESCO's Education for All (EFA) Dakar Framework underpin the policy's universal access commitments.