By Abel Zwanke, Lafia
The Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Dr. Kasim Mohammed Kasim, is driving sweeping reforms aimed at rebuilding the foundation of basic education across the state through improved infrastructure, monitoring, and community engagement.Since his appointment, Kasim has rolled out a statewide campaign to return out-of-school children to classrooms, distributed 30,000 classroom chairs across the three senatorial districts, and procured seven mini-buses to support school monitoring and community mobilisation. Education stakeholders say these interventions signal a coordinated turnaround in a sector long affected by neglect.
At the centre of the reforms is an aggressive enrolment drive targeting out-of-school children. With Nigeria recording one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children globally, Nasarawa State has been particularly affected by poverty, truancy, and social challenges. NSUBEB’s approach combines community sensitisation, inter-agency collaboration, and routine school monitoring.Speaking at the official launch of the campaign, Kasim said, “We cannot allow any child to roam the streets while classrooms exist. Basic education is a right, not a privilege.”
To support implementation, NSUBEB deployed seven mini-buses across all 13 local government areas to facilitate enrolment drives, school supervision, and feedback collection, especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities.A traditional ruler in Wamba, HRH Alhaji Mohammed Musa, said the initiative has renewed discussions within families about education. “Government presence in our communities is now visible. Officers come regularly, reminding parents that children must be in school,” he said.
Civil society organisations have also welcomed the reforms. Mrs. Rabi Usman, Executive Director of the Education Watch Network, described the initiative as the most coordinated statewide mobilisation in recent years, noting that improved monitoring has strengthened follow-up.Another major intervention is the procurement and distribution of 30,000 classroom chairs to public primary schools. For years, many pupils in rural schools sat on bare floors or shared desks, a situation educators said hindered learning and attendance.
While presenting the furniture, Kasim said the intervention was about restoring dignity. “Quality education cannot exist without basic learning facilities,” he stated.Mrs. Hadiza Yunana, a headmistress in Karu, said the new furniture has improved attendance and morale. “Our pupils are happier and more attentive. Teaching is now easier,” she noted.To curb vandalism of school facilities, NSUBEB introduced community-based stewardship programmes involving traditional rulers, youth groups, women associations, and parent-teacher associations. Kasim has repeatedly emphasised that communities must take ownership of school infrastructure.
In addition, NSUBEB redeployed over 1,300 administrative staff back to classrooms to address teacher shortages, particularly in rural areas. The move, though initially resisted, has been praised by lawmakers and education advocates.Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, described the redeployment as a courageous decision taken in the interest of children’s education.
Kasim has also proposed the transfer of Junior Secondary Schools back to NSUBEB to ensure continuity and unified curriculum delivery. Education analysts say the proposal aligns with global best practices in basic education management. Despite persistent challenges such as funding gaps, insecurity, and vandalism, stakeholders believe Nasarawa’s education sector is on the right path. Analysts say sustained funding, community ownership, and accountability could position the state as a model for basic education reform in northern Nigeria.
