- Author(s): Ladan, B., Rukaiya, G. Galtimari and Hadiza, A. Biu
- Volume 11, No 2, 2023
This study examined the challenges and opportunities in delivering universal basic education in Nigeria, with a focus on breaking down barriers and building bridges to enhance access, quality, and equity. Recognizing education as a fundamental human right and a crucial driver of individual and societal development, this paper explored the complex interplay of factors that hinder or facilitate effective education delivery in Nigeria. The initiation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) policy was aimed at providing free and compulsory education to children aged 6-15 years, aligning with global goals like Education for All (EFA) and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). Despite notable progress in enrollment rates, significant barriers and challenges persist, including inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, teacher shortages, the perceived value of education, gender discrimination, humanitarian emergencies and armed conflicts, poor supervision, corruption, and poor implementation of educational policies, and socio-cultural barriers such as child labour and early marriage. This study examines these impediments and proposes strategic interventions to enhance access and quality of UBE in Nigeria that include enhancing government commitment and collaboration, community involvement and ownership, utilizing technology in education, teacher training and support,
and strengthening policy implementation and coordination. The paper recommended increasing government funding, encouraging public-private partnerships, and implementing robust monitoring for transparency and efficient use of resources to support UBE initiatives.