Advocacy Visit to the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), FCT for the Construction of 3 Classrooms and Toilet Facilities in Gwalada Community, AMAC, FCT.

The primary aim of this advocacy visit was to engage the UBEB FCT leadership to secure a formal collaboration to establish a functional primary school in Gwalada Community, AMAC, FCT.

CITAD, with funding from ActionAid Nigeria, plans to construct 3 classrooms and toilet facilities in Gwalada Community. The visit sought to secure UBEB’s commitment to:

1. Post qualified, government-employed teachers to the school upon completion; and
2. Formally take ownership and institutional management of the school.

A formal advocacy meeting was held at the UBEB FCT office with the UBEB Chairperson, Mrs. Florence Dawon Wenegieme, and relevant officials. The CITAD and ActionAid Nigeria team presented the educational crisis in Gwalada (over 200 school-age children with no government primary school, long distances, safety risks, high dropout rates especially among girls) and the plan to construct 3 classrooms and toilet facilities. They requested UBEB’s collaboration for teacher posting and government ownership.

Main decisions taken:

1. Approval must come from the FCT Minister; UBEB will facilitate by forwarding documents.
2. Gwalada Community must submit a formal request letter through the Community Leader and Area Council Chairman.
3. UBEB Director of Projects will conduct a site inspection.
4. UBEB expressed willingness to post teachers and take ownership upon approval.
5. UBEB Cabinet will write in support of the request to the FCT Minister