Tinubu Picks Former Nasarawa Governor Al-Makura to Head UBEC, Stirring Public Debate on Qualification and Representation

 

The Federal Government has once again drawn the public’s attention with a significant appointment that could shape the future of basic education across Nigeria. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the selection of former Nasarawa State governor, Tanko Umaru Al-Makura, as the new Chairman of the Governing Board of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the unveiling of a France-supported ICT Development Project, which is being piloted in 10 carefully selected Nigerian universities.

Al-Makura’s emergence as the head of one of the country’s most crucial educational institutions has sparked a flurry of reactions across various quarters. While some applaud the appointment as a strategic move aimed at reinforcing the commission's leadership with political and administrative experience, others express skepticism and disappointment, especially considering Nasarawa State’s ongoing struggles with low literacy levels and poor educational infrastructure.

The former governor, a seasoned businessman and political stalwart, is known for implementing various development initiatives during his time at the helm of Nasarawa’s affairs. His record, though praised in some circles, has not shielded him from criticism regarding the educational progress of the state under his leadership. Detractors point to Nasarawa's underwhelming performance in national education rankings as evidence that Al-Makura may not be the ideal figure to guide a national commission like UBEC, whose mandate revolves around improving basic education outcomes in Nigeria.

UBEC operates under the Federal Ministry of Education and plays a pivotal role in the disbursement of counterpart funding to states, with the goal of advancing access to quality basic education. It oversees policy implementation and resource allocation for primary and junior secondary schools across the federation. The chairman of the governing board is tasked with steering this enormous responsibility and ensuring strategic alignment with national educational objectives.

Supporters of the new chairman argue that Al-Makura’s tenure as governor was marked by an earnest effort to extend educational access to rural communities, despite facing limited financial resources. They claim his leadership experience at the state level, particularly in governance and policy implementation, equips him with the capacity to manage a federal agency of UBEC’s scale. Others also cite his familiarity with the realities of educational neglect in underserved regions as a potential advantage in designing inclusive national strategies.

However, civil society groups and education stakeholders have expressed strong reservations. Critics question the rationale behind appointing someone from a state that consistently underperforms in education metrics. Some see it as a missed opportunity to appoint an expert with a background in education policy, pedagogy, or grassroots learning innovation. They argue that the symbolic weight of the appointment is as important as the competence of the appointee, and that placing someone from an educationally advanced state could have sent a stronger message about national standards and aspirations.

Concerns have also been raised about the political nature of appointments within strategic institutions. Observers note that the frequent trend of appointing political allies or former officeholders to lead professional bodies could dilute the focus and efficiency of these agencies. Education, many argue, is a sector that requires deep expertise, long-term vision, and leadership not encumbered by political baggage.

On the other hand, some education experts have urged the public to give Al-Makura a chance to prove his mettle. They note that Nigeria's education sector requires broad collaboration among politicians, technocrats, and educators. The UBEC chairmanship, while critical, is also supported by a robust secretariat and technical staff who handle daily operations. The chairman’s role, they argue, should be to provide policy guidance and mobilize political will, something Al-Makura might be uniquely positioned to deliver.

President Tinubu’s administration has consistently emphasized the importance of reforming and revitalizing Nigeria’s education system. Appointments like these are likely to be closely scrutinized in the context of that broader reform agenda. Whether Al-Makura’s leadership of UBEC will align with the national aspirations for basic education improvement remains to be seen.

As the dust settles, all eyes will be on the new chairman to demonstrate both competence and commitment. His ability to transcend regional criticisms and steer UBEC toward delivering meaningful educational impact across Nigeria will be the true measure of this controversial but consequential appointment.