State SUBEB Chairmen Pledge Support for UBEC Boss, Denounce Allegations
The Forum of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Chairmen has declared full support for the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Hajia Aisha Garba Mohammed, dismissing recent allegations against her as unfounded.
The forum, led by Professor Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, expressed concern over a Sahara Reporters publication in which an individual claiming to be an Education Rights Activist (ERAC) accused Hajia Garba of misconduct. In a statement on Tuesday, the chairmen described the allegations as “spurious” and “a deliberate attempt to malign a public servant whose record of accountability is well established.”
According to the forum, all 36 state SUBEB chairmen and the FCT stand firmly behind Hajia Garba, noting that her leadership has brought “transformative” changes to the commission. They highlighted her achievements in improving fund disbursement efficiency, enhancing transparency in project monitoring, and tackling key challenges in basic education, particularly the issue of out-of-school children.
The forum accused “retrogressive elements” of attempting to smear Hajia Garba’s reputation due to her insistence on transparency and due process, stressing that she has never deviated from her mandate.
“We call on Nigerians, the media, and the development community to disregard the baseless claims,” the statement read, urging Sahara Reporters to uphold journalistic integrity by verifying information before publication.
The forum reaffirmed its confidence in Hajia Garba’s competence and integrity, describing her as “a dependable partner” in efforts to strengthen basic education in line with the federal government’s Renewed Hope agenda.
