Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) is currently under investigation due to concerns over its management practices. Wike made this revelation during a high-level meeting with the leadership of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Abuja, led by its Executive Chairman, Hamid Boboyi.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency in UBEB’s operations, Wike pointed out that the board had failed to provide a comprehensive briefing on its activities, fueling concerns about its management and efficiency.

“We are not fully satisfied with what we’ve observed at the board,” Wike stated. “There has been no comprehensive briefing on its activities, and this cannot continue. Transparency is non-negotiable when it comes to the management of public institutions like the Universal Basic Education Board. The public deserves to know how resources are being used, especially when it comes to education.”

The investigation, according to Wike, comes amidst ongoing efforts to renovate schools across the FCT. Despite these efforts, Wike highlighted the glaring absence of detailed reports on the board’s past projects, which has led to delays in appointing a substantive director for UBEB. “While schools are being renovated, we have not seen enough documentation or accountability regarding previous projects. This lack of clarity cannot be allowed to persist,” he said.

Wike emphasized that the investigation aims to improve governance and ensure that the board is held accountable for its activities. He made it clear that only through such measures can the board regain public trust and continue to play a vital role in shaping the educational landscape of the FCT.

During the meeting, Boboyi took the opportunity to request the Minister’s approval for UBEC’s land allocation proposal, which had been submitted in 2021. The proposal includes plans to construct office spaces and housing for UBEC staff within the FCT. The UBEC Executive Chairman urged Wike to expedite the approval process, noting that this would greatly enhance the commission’s capacity to meet its operational needs.

In response, Wike agreed to consider the request but issued a firm directive: UBEC must first sign a formal agreement with the FCT Administration (FCTA), clearly demonstrating its financial capacity to begin development immediately and specifying a timeline for the completion of the projects. He warned that failure to meet these conditions could lead to the revocation of the land.

“The FCT Administration is willing to support UBEC, but there must be a concrete plan in place. You need to show that you have the financial capacity to start construction immediately, and we need to have a clear timeline for when the project will be completed. If you fail to meet these terms, the land will be revoked,” Wike asserted.