The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Aisha Garba, at the flag-off of the distribution of instructional materials to public basic schools in the FCT, held at Model Junior Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja, disclosed that over 700,000 out-of-school children have been returned to classrooms nationwide, as efforts intensify to tackle Nigeria’s education gap.

Garba said the intervention, driven in collaboration with State Universal Basic Education Boards, has also seen the distribution of over 7 million core textbooks and learning materials, alongside targeted support for Integrated Quranic and Tsangaya education centres.

She added that the FCT, alone, received about 140,000 instructional items, including textbooks, teacher resource packs, smart boards and computers, expected to benefit at least 10,000 pupils.

The Mandate Secretary for Education in the FCT, Danlami Hayyo, who represented the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said the administration has embarked on the renovation of 108 schools across the six Area Councils, with 22 already completed, while sustaining timely payment of counterpart funding to UBEC projects.

Acting Chairman of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board, Florence Wenegieme, said the initiative is aimed at strengthening access to education and encouraging out-of-school children to return to classrooms, with distribution planned across all Area Councils.

Also, the Emir of Jiwa, Idris Musa, urged school authorities to ensure proper use of the materials and avoid diversion, stressing that the intervention must reach intended beneficiaries in schools.

Beneficiary schools cut across Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali Area Councils, including primary and junior secondary institutions, such as LEA Primary Schools, Model Primary Schools and Junior Secondary Schools in communities across the FCT.