Follow Us on Google
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Grace Ike, has called on the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to institutionalise regular media briefings and strengthen the capacity of education correspondents through continuous training and field engagements.
Speaking at UBEC’s maiden media luncheon in Abuja, the NUJ chairman commended the Commission for establishing a Public Communications Department, describing the move as a clear demonstration of its commitment to transparency, accountability and collaboration with the media.
She suggested that public institutions build relationships with journalists before crises arise, rather than engaging the media only when faced with challenges. “I often tell public office holders that relationships with journalists should not begin only when there is a crisis.
“Regular interactions such as this demonstrate genuine collaboration and show that the media is valued and recognised as a partner in progress,” she said.
The NUJ chairman praised the leadership of the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, for prioritising strategic communication, saying the creation of a dedicated communications department marked another milestone in the Commission’s ongoing reforms.
According to her, effective communication is indispensable to public service delivery, adding that the education sector deserves sustained media attention because it remains the foundation of national development.
She urged government agencies to see journalists as partners in development rather than adversaries. “As journalists, we are not merely storytellers. We investigate, amplify issues of public interest, expose gaps where necessary and help hold duty bearers accountable. That is why government institutions should always see the media as partners rather than adversaries,” she stated.
The NUJ chairman stressed that direct engagement between agencies such as UBEC and the media would promote accurate reporting, curb misinformation and foster constructive collaboration that ultimately benefits learners, teachers and parents.
She called on UBEC to sustain the initiative by making media briefings a regular feature and providing journalists with timely access to information, education data, schools and key officials.
Ike also advocated regular capacity-building programmes for education correspondents, particularly in areas such as interpreting education data, monitoring school infrastructure projects, child-sensitive reporting and the protection of minors in the media.
She said that such training should not be confined to Abuja but should include field visits to project sites across the country to enable journalists independently verify projects and produce evidence-based reports.
The NUJ chairman further recommended increased transparency in project implementation and procurement processes to reduce misinformation and strengthen public confidence in government interventions, urging UBEC to consider introducing investigative journalism fellowships or grants to support in-depth reporting on critical challenges affecting Nigeria’s basic education sector.
She said establishing an effective feedback mechanism between the Commission and journalists would further enhance trust and ensure prompt responses to media enquiries.
Commending the Executive Secretary’s presentation at the event, the NUJ chairman described her as “humble, composed, confident and data-driven,” noting that she spoke extensively without relying on prepared notes while presenting facts and figures with remarkable clarity.
She expressed optimism that the media luncheon would mark the beginning of a stronger and more productive partnership between UBEC and education correspondents in advancing quality basic education in Nigeria.
