The Federal Government has officially launched the distribution of 15 million learners' support kits to vulnerable pupils across Nigeria, as part of efforts to combat out-of-school children and ensure inclusive basic education for all.
The national flag-off ceremony took place in Makurdi, Benue State, coinciding with the 2026 Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Basic Education Summit and the launch of the Learners Support Programme (LSP).
Speaking at the event, Dr. Aisha Garba, Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), described the initiative as a key demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's commitment to removing barriers to education under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
"The programme begins with the immediate distribution of 1,155,900 school kits nationwide, including 288,975 units each of school bags, sandals, pencils, and exercise books, targeting children from low-income and vulnerable households," Garba explained.
She added that the full rollout will deliver 15 million kits across states to reduce financial burdens on parents, increase school enrolment, improve retention rates, and enhance transitions in basic education.
Garba emphasized that the initiative goes beyond supplies: “This is not just a policy update; it is a solemn promise that no child, regardless of geography or background, will be left behind.”
She praised Benue State Governor Rev. Hyacinth Alia for prioritizing basic education and hosting the event, calling the state a strategic partner in national reforms.
She also commended Benue SUBEB Chairman Dr. Grace Adagba for organizing the summit, themed “Innovative Strategies for Addressing the Menace of Out-of-School Children: Enhancing Enrolment and Retention of Children in Basic Schools.”
Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Garba noted that millions of Nigerian children remain denied their right to education under the 2004 Universal Basic Education Act.
She outlined strategies to reverse this trend, including community mobilization, technology for enrolment tracking, enhanced school security, girl-child incentives, inclusive teacher training, and expanded non-formal options for older out-of-school youth.
Garba highlighted successful UBEC-Benue collaboration, noting the state's full access to matching grants after relaxed conditions, leading to over 80% nationwide improvement in fund utilization.
Interventions in Benue include:
Construction of 39 new classrooms, 50 toilets, 15 offices, five libraries, five ICT labs, and five Early Childhood Care Development Education centres
Renovation of 182 classrooms
Furniture for 6,668 pupils, 309 teachers, and 767 library users
Installation of 13 boreholes, overhead tanks, and perimeter fencing in nine schools
Over 13,670 community-based projects under the School-Based Management Committee-School Improvement Programme, backed by more than N1.5 billion in first-tranche funding to 1,142 schools, impacting over 430,000 learners
She reaffirmed UBEC's support for Benue and other states in scaling enrolment drives through programmes like the Learners Retention Support Programme and LSP.
“Today’s flag-off demonstrates that the trend can be reversed. Together, we can ensure that every child in Benue and across Nigeria can learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s future,” Garba concluded.
The summit is set to produce actionable policy recommendations and strategies to expand access to quality basic education and close persistent gaps in tackling out-of-school children nationwide.
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