The United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening basic education in Benue State following a strategic needs assessment visit to the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) headquarters.
This was contained in a press release made available by Msughter John Ataigbough, Special Assistant to the Executive Chairman on Corporate Communications and Community Engagements.
The delegation, led by Michelle Boujikian, a UNICEF International Consultant, held an interactive session with SUBEB officials to explore collaborative approaches to data access, school needs assessment, and evidence-based intervention programmes.
Speaking during the engagement, the UNICEF consultant highlighted ongoing efforts to address educational challenges faced by Internally Displaced Persons in camps across the state.
She emphasised UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding every child’s right to quality education and stressed the importance of reliable data in shaping impactful interventions in Benue State.
In her response, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Grace Adagba, expressed appreciation for UNICEF’s continued support, particularly the provision of additional learning materials during the Benue Education Summit 2026.
She disclosed that SUBEB had conducted several surveys and data collection exercises revealing critical needs among children, including shortages of school supplies, inadequate feeding programmes, and low parental motivation.
Adagba also underscored UNICEF’s potential role in the successful implementation of the “Building Rights to Access and Compulsory Education for Un-enrolled Pupils” (BRACE-UP) Project.
The initiative, recently launched by Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, aims to reintegrate out-of-school children across the state into formal basic education.
According to the SUBEB chairman, collaboration with UNICEF could strengthen key components of Project BRACE-UP through parental training as motivation agents to boost enrollment of out-of-school children.
She added that the partnership could also support financial stipends for vulnerable families, revitalization of the School Feeding Programme, and promotion of compulsory enrollment in formal basic education.
Adagba concluded by lauding UNICEF’s consistent contributions to educational development in Benue State and called on other corporate organisations and development partners to support access to quality basic education.
Similarly, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has renewed collaboration with the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board to strengthen learning outcomes in selected Effective Model Schools across the state.
The initiative focuses on improving access to modern learning facilities and instructional resources and was highlighted during a strategic engagement at the Board’s headquarters in Makurdi on Thursday.
During the engagement, JICA’s Programme Coordinator for Education and Long-term Training Programme, Stephen Nwanya, commended SUBEB for expanding structural access to basic education in Benue State.
He disclosed that under JICA’s Grant Aid Project, the agency plans to construct Information and Communication Technology and vocational laboratories in selected schools.
The facilities and equipment will be provided to LGEA St. Theresa’s Primary School, Makurdi, and other Effective Model Schools across Benue State.
Also speaking during the visit, Hikaru Kusakabe, Basic Education Advisor for JICA, announced the commencement of the agency’s Technical Cooperation Project in Benue State.
As part of the initiative, he revealed that 100 copies of mathematics textbooks have been supplied to LGEA St. Theresa’s Primary School, Makurdi.
He added that the agency is also testing a new mathematics learning application designed for basic schools in the state.
Responding, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Grace Adagba, expressed appreciation to JICA for its continued support for the development of basic education in Benue State.
She noted that the intervention aligns with SUBEB’s ACCESS pillar, which prioritizes improved learning environments and expanded opportunities for pupils across the state.
Adagba further revealed that LGEA St. Theresa’s Primary School, Makurdi, has already been earmarked for comprehensive renovation.
She said rehabilitation works are expected to commence in the coming months.
According to her, the JICA initiative will significantly complement the Board’s efforts to upgrade the school to modern educational standards.
