Tinubu appoints new UBEC Secretary

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Aisha Garba, an international development specialist, as the new Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy disclosed this in a statement today.

The President said Garba, a seasoned Senior Education Specialist with the World Bank, will bring over 24 years of experience in implementing transformative education programmes for human and economic development across Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Kenya, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Garba’s extensive career includes more than 15 years at the World Bank, where she spearheaded the full lifecycle of education initiatives—from conceptualization and implementation to impact assessment.

Her work has focused on providing sustainable education reforms, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions, making her a valuable asset for driving change within Nigeria’s education sector.

In addition to her experience with the World Bank, Garba has contributed to achieving Nigeria’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and consulted for notable organizations, including the Department for International Development (DFID), BOND-UK, Regent Foundation, and Muslim Aid Organization.

An alumna of Petra American University in Jordan, Garba holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Computer Studies (2000) and earned a Master’s degree in International Development from the University of Birmingham, UK, in 2007.

President Tinubu expressed confidence in Garba’s ability to drive the administration’s renewed hope agenda, ensuring that Nigerian children receive quality education and become globally competitive.