The appointment was officially announced on Tuesday through a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
In the statement, Onanuga highlighted Garba's extensive experience, noting that she brings over 24 years of expertise in the education and development sectors. This includes more than 15 years of dedicated service at the World Bank, where she played key roles in shaping Nigeria’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), managing impactful education programmes, and consulting on various transformative projects.
Onanuga described Aisha Garba as an international development specialist who has successfully led education-focused reforms across multiple countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Kenya, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Her work has encompassed end-to-end design, management, and evaluation of education programmes, ensuring they deliver measurable results from inception to completion.
Aisha Garba
The statement further emphasized that Garba’s experience extends beyond education reforms, as she has demonstrated an ability to drive sustainable solutions in fragile, conflict, and violent settings. Her work in such challenging environments has equipped her with the skills to engage with governments, development partners, and local communities effectively, ensuring educational policies are successfully implemented.
Garba had previously contributed to Nigeria’s efforts to achieve its MDG targets by playing a significant role in several groundbreaking projects. Beyond her work at the World Bank, she has also consulted for prominent organizations, including the Department for International Development (DFID), BOND-UK, Regent Foundation, and the Muslim Aid Organization.
Academically, Aisha Garba holds a strong foundation in international education and development. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Computer Studies from Petra American University in Jordan in 2000. She further pursued a Master’s degree in International Development at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, completing her studies in 2007.
President Bola Tinubu expressed confidence that Aisha Garba, as the new Executive Secretary of UBEC, will align with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He expects her to prioritize the promotion of quality education in Nigeria and ensure that Nigerian children receive the knowledge and skills necessary to compete globally in an ever-evolving world.
The President believes that Garba’s leadership and international experience will be instrumental in advancing policies that strengthen basic education across the country, drive reforms, and foster long-term human and economic development.
