THE AFRICA TIMES | NIGERIA —
## Universal Basic Education in Nigeria
Nigeria has maintained a long-standing commitment to universal basic education. The Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme was introduced in 1999 as a major reform aimed at expanding access to quality schooling across the country. The National Policy on Education provides the overarching framework for the sector, while the UBE Act of 2004 guarantees every child the right to free and compulsory basic education from primary through junior secondary school.
## Challenges in Education Access
Significant challenges continue to undermine these commitments. According to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), an estimated 10.2 million children of primary school age and 8.1 million children of junior secondary school age were out of school in 2018. This statistic highlights persistent barriers to access.
### Learning Outcomes Concerns
Learning outcomes among enrolled students also remain a major concern. Data from UBEC and UNICEF indicate that in 2022, nearly half of Primary
