The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has unveiled its digital transformation and change management roadmap and inaugurated 100 digital champions to drive technology adoption and innovation across Nigeria’s basic education sector.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja yesterday, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, described the initiative as a landmark step towards building a modern, data-driven, and future-ready institution capable of delivering quality education services more efficiently.
The 100 Digital Champions were drawn from UBEC headquarters and the State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs).
The Executive Secretary said the Commission’s digital transformation agenda is designed to leverage innovation and technology to improve operational efficiency, strengthen collaboration, enhance decision-making through data, and support states and schools in providing quality basic education to every Nigerian child.
“Today is a significant day in the history of the Universal Basic Education Commission. We are gathered not merely to launch a roadmap or inaugurate a team; we are here to reaffirm our commitment to shaping the future of education through innovation, technology, and purposeful leadership,” she said.
According to her, the roadmap provides a strategic framework for modernising the Commission’s operations, stakeholder engagement processes, and support systems for the education sector.
She noted that digital transformation extends beyond technology deployment and is fundamentally about people, innovation, improved processes and a culture that embraces change.
“Our aspiration is clear: to build a digitally enabled, data-driven and future-ready Commission that delivers services more efficiently, collaborates more effectively, and supports states and schools in providing quality basic education to every Nigerian child,” Garba stated.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that UBEC has already begun deploying modern digital tools and platforms, including the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, the UBEC Hub Intranet, digital communication channels, and data-driven management systems, to reduce administrative bottlenecks, improve information flow, and enhance staff productivity.
She further highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at transforming teaching and learning nationwide, including the establishment of Digital Learning Centres, the expansion of Model Smart Schools, the deployment of Smart Interactive Boards and Smart Classrooms, and the strengthening of education data systems through partnerships with local and international organisations.
Garba explained that the newly inaugurated Digital Champions were carefully selected from UBEC departments, units, zonal offices and state offices to serve as change agents and promote the adoption of digital tools and innovative work processes throughout the Commission.
In his remarks, Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Rasaq Olajuwon Akinyemi, urged the Digital Champions to take their responsibilities seriously and support efforts to digitise the Commission’s operations.
He said the champions have a critical role to play in helping UBEC and State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) utilise technology to improve learning processes and service delivery.
Also speaking, Director of Digital Platforms and Analytics, Yau Garba, described the inauguration as a critical milestone in the Commission’s transformation journey.
Garba said UBEC’s digital agenda aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and aims to improve internal operations and educational outcomes nationwide.
“The world is going digital. Or maybe I would rather say the world has gone digital,” he remarked.
He identified resistance to change as one of the major obstacles to digital transformation, stressing that the Digital Champions would play a key role in leading the transition and encouraging staff to embrace technology-driven solutions.
Garba noted that innovations such as electronic document management systems, virtual collaboration platforms and artificial intelligence would simplify work processes, enhance efficiency and improve productivity across the Commission.
