The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has warned that government reforms in the basic education sector risk failure unless they are clearly and effectively communicated to the public.
Speaking at a two-day training workshop for heads of public relations of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), the Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba hailed the participants as gatekeepers of information and shapers of narratives.
She noted that they are critical stakeholders whose work influence the success of policies.
“The most brilliant policies and the most dedicated efforts can fail to achieve their full potential if they are not effectively communicated. Your work breathes life into our policies. You are the storytellers who will convey the hope and the tangible benefits of the ongoing reforms to every corner of your states,” Garba said.
The UBEC boss explained that the commission’s ongoing reforms target reducing the number of out-of-school children, upgrading teacher training, and promoting skills acquisition to prepare Nigerian children for the future.
She warned that communication lapses could derail the gains of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Education, adding that PR officers must be proactive, innovative, and persuasive.
“This training is not about business as usual. It is about sharpening our tools, rethinking our strategies, and embracing new and innovative ways to engage with the public. We cannot afford to be reactive. We must be proactive, passionate, and persuasive champions for basic education,” she charged.
Garba further described the role of PR officers a “national calling,” urging them to use the workshop to recommit themselves to transforming education delivery.
“The time for incremental change is over; the time for transformative impact is now,” she declared.
The two-day training, running from September 15 to 16, is designed to strengthen the capacity of state education communicators to promote UBEC’s policies and build trust among parents, teachers, communities, and policymakers.