The Federal House of Representatives’ Committees on Women in Parliament and Basic Education have declared their intentions to see to the amendment of the Universal Basic Education Act 2004 towards ensuring free, safe and quality girl-child’s education up to the secondary school level.

Two committees made the pledge during an event to commemorate the 2021 International Women’s Day on Monday in Abuja. The event was organised by Malala Fund and its Education Champions, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and the #AmendUBEAct Coalition.

Taiwo Oluga, Chair, House Committee on Women in Parliament, while highlighting the need for gender-responsive education policies in Nigeria, stated  that women made up about 100 million of the country’s 200 million population, hence, the need to educate and empower women towards contributing to the nation’s development.

Oluga reiterated that the House of Representatives is committed to completing the on-going amendment process of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act (2004).

UBE act amendment bill is at the committee stage at the Federal House of Representatives. The bill seeks to provide a legal framework for free, safe and quality education up to twelve years, ensure an increase in basic education financing and promote gender-responsive learning, among others.