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From Isaac Job, Uyo
The Federal Government has said that books would be distributed to pupils in public schools in South South and South East geo political zone through strategic partnership with world bank and other partners under “HOPE Edu” programme in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking in Uyo Akwa Ibom state capital during a 5- day Result Area 1 Regional Thematic Workshop on Book Supply Chain and ‘N’ Trace for school directors and Procurement Officers of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) in S /South and S/ East geo-political zone, the Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa said the book supply chain would ensure that books are supplied to children as some parents could not afford them .
Alausa who was represented by Mr Zubair Muhammad in the federal ministry of Education disclosed that states in the region must get ready for the supply chain deadline of November 15, 2026.
” The Federal Government is ready with the world bank partners to assist by providing books to children in public schools
“Not just to provide the books , government wants to ensure that the books are tracked and stored for learners at various levels of learning in public schools
“The books would be stored so that pupils can use it at various levels of learning . The books would be school property carefully preserved for learners at all levels
” Government must know the exact number of learners in public schools within the South South and South East to be accommodated under the ratio of one child , one book ”
Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Aisha Garba while addressing participants at the workshop noted that education remains a cornerstone for national development
” The federal government, in partnership with the World Bank, is fully committed to ensuring that the HOPE EDU Programme delivers qualitative outcomes.
“Over the next few days, we will focus on equipping our State Ministries of Education and SUBEBs with the tools, strategies, and accountability mechanisms required to transform classrooms across the nation.
He said the workshop on the Book Supply Chain and Track and Trace system will ensure that quality materials reach the right schools and students, with transparency and accountability at every stage.
Garba represented by UBEC zonal director South South Akpan Ossom Udo explained that states must be ready to buy into the book supply chain
” By November 15, 2026, your states must demonstrate readiness. This is not negotiable. It is the gateway to unlocking the first round of programme disbursements and, more importantly, the future of our children.
Garba stated that knowledge gained through the workshop is not for individuals alone but a key to unlocking potential of millions of children in the regions .
” Together, we must lay a strong foundation that will endure for generations.We stand at the beginning of a journey with the power to transform basic education in Nigeria”.
Earlier, programme manager Mr Mayowa Aleishin said that the implementation of the programme has focused on establishing institutional arrangements, technical, and operational foundations needed to achieve the Program Development Objective (PDO) since February 2026
“We have worked closely with states to lay the groundwork for reforms that this workshop will now help translate into action
“The focus of this workshop sits at the very heart of RA1’s promise to learners: that teaching and learning materials procured and financed through this Programme will achieve a 1:1 pupil–book ratio in literacy and numeracy”
