To prioritize community involvement and ownership in delivering quality education for public primary school students throughout Ogun State, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has partnered with the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to educate Education Secretaries from all 20 Local Government Education Authorities on the School-Based Management Committee - School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP).

During the opening of the stakeholders' meeting at NUT Hall, Kuto, Abeokuta, SUBEB Chairman Dr. Femi Majekodunmi emphasized the initiative’s goal of enhancing partnerships to ensure that schools, particularly those in critical need, receive the necessary support.

Represented by the Board's Executive Secretary, Dr. Mikhail Lawal, Dr. Majekodunmi outlined key objectives, including improving infrastructure, enhancing learning environments, and ensuring students have access to essential materials for success

. He stressed that participating schools must have active and functional SBMCs ready to mobilize the required 10 percent counterpart funding.

"I cannot stress enough the importance of transparency and accountability in managing these resources. Unlike past initiatives, there will be strict consequences for failing to complete approved projects. I urge all stakeholders to take this responsibility seriously, as both the community and the government will be closely monitoring our actions," he stated.

Earlier, Mr. Jakes Jiya from UBEC’s Social Mobilization Department in Abuja explained that the program aims to equip participants with actionable strategies to provide necessary facilities and amenities, as well as to ensure the completion of designated classrooms.

He noted that successfully implemented projects would positively affect learners, boost student enrollment, and create a better teaching and learning environment, urging participants to fully commit to the initiative.

In their goodwill messages, Comrade Noah Sewakanu, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Ogun State, and Mr.

Muhammad Ali, Chairman of the Education Secretaries, praised the agencies for the program, highlighting its role in supporting the state government's efforts to provide every child with a conducive learning atmosphere.

Mr. Akinleye Abodunrin, Director of the Social Mobilization Department at SUBEB, expressed gratitude to UBEC for the intervention, particularly during this period of inflation.

In a lecture, Mr. Olamukun Olawale, Education Officer in the Social Mobilization Department of SUBEB, characterized SBMC-SIP as a community-driven self-help initiative that bridges schools and government, emphasizing that education is crucial for development, which cannot occur in isolation. He further indicated that the program would facilitate more development in schools by providing funds from UBEC for various projects.

Tpl. Paul Ayoola, Education Secretary for Imeko-Afon Local Government Education Authority, thanked both the state and federal governments for the program and assured participants of his commitment to using the funds responsibly.