Benue SUBEB Boss Credits Gov. Alia's Education Reforms as State's Literacy Model Gains Recognition at UK Parliament
...Grace Adagba says Governor Hyacinth Alia's investment in teacher development and evidence-based literacy instruction has positioned Benue as Nigeria's leading state in foundational reading, attracting global recognition at the UK Parliament.
By Genesis ogiri
ABUJA — Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, has credited the education reforms of Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia for the remarkable transformation of foundational literacy in Benue State, saying the administration's commitment to quality basic education has elevated the state to international prominence.
Adagba made the remarks while addressing an international parliamentary forum at the House of Lords, UK Parliament, and Stationers' Hall in London, where she represented Benue State as the featured speaker during activities marking the 20th anniversary of the globally acclaimed Jolly Phonics Programme.
Speaking before an audience of parliamentarians, policymakers, education specialists and development partners from different parts of the world, the SUBEB chairman presented Benue's literacy success story, describing it as a direct outcome of Governor Alia's strategic reforms, deliberate investments in teacher capacity building and sustained implementation of evidence-based reading instruction across public primary schools.
She said the governor's education agenda has prioritised quality teaching, continuous professional development for teachers and learner-centred instructional practices, creating an enabling environment for pupils to acquire strong foundational literacy skills and significantly improve classroom performance.
According to Adagba,
She described the achievement as a clear demonstration of what visionary leadership, sound education policies and sustained investment in teachers can accomplish, noting that Benue has become a model for foundational literacy reform in Nigeria and beyond.
The SUBEB chairman further disclosed that the state's impressive performance received international endorsement during the forum when Lord Alton of Liverpool commended Nigeria for leading literacy reforms across Africa and described the country's evidence-based reading approach as a model worthy of global recognition.
She said the commendation reflects the growing confidence of the international community in Nigeria's education reforms and underscores the impact of Governor Alia's commitment to strengthening the basic education sector through innovative and result-oriented interventions.
Adagba reaffirmed the Benue State Government's resolve to consolidate the gains already recorded by expanding access to quality education, strengthening teacher effectiveness and ensuring that every child in the state acquires the literacy skills required for lifelong learning and national development.
She added that the recognition at the UK Parliament serves as an encouragement for the state to deepen ongoing reforms while collaborating with global education partners to promote excellence in teaching and learning, in line with Governor Alia's vision of building a world-class basic education system for Benue.
The international parliamentary forum, held on July 24, 2026,
