As education in Nigeria faces significant challenges, Mrs. Eneh Adikwu, Director of the Department of Special Programmes, a staff of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), stands out as a beacon of integrity and dedication. Her commitment to quality assurance in Nigeria’s basic education sector has become a symbol of ethical leadership worthy of emulation.

UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi had tasked the State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) to give increased priority to quality assurance during a key stakeholder meeting in April 2024, urging them to ensure that schools consistently meet national educational standards. It was a timely reminder of the essential role that quality assurance plays in shaping the future of Nigeria’s children.

Among those leading this charge is Adikwu, who, in her career thus far, has upheld the principles of integrity and accountability. She had started her career as a monitoring officer, who believed in the power of quality education to transform lives. While some of her colleagues  rushed through school inspections to save time and costs, Adikwu remained committed to the meticulous evaluation of each school, ensuring that no detail was overlooked.

“My job requires traveling and inspecting schools, from primary classes to junior secondary levels. We are often assigned five schools per week, and each inspection should take at least a day to do it thoroughly,” Adikwu shared. “Rushing through inspections, spending just a few hours, doesn’t do justice to the work. It compromises the quality we are meant to ensure.”

Adikwu’s dedication did not come without challenges. She often encountered unethical practices among some of her colleagues, who would either skip parts of their assessments or falsify reports. Recognizing the potential harm such behavior could cause to Nigeria’s education system, she took a stand by reporting these actions to the appropriate authorities, despite the risk of alienating herself from her peers.

Between 2019 and 2021, UBEC, in collaboration with SUBEBs and Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs), evaluated 25,424 public primary and junior secondary schools across Nigeria. In this period, 12,402 schools were re-evaluated, and over 111,000 schools were monitored on a daily basis. 

Adikwu’s approach didn’t always sit well with others. Some senior colleagues, misinterpreting her thoroughness as inefficiency due to the smaller number of schools she covered with detailed reports, criticized her work ethic. Yet Adikwu remained resolute, understanding that the quality of education was at stake.

As she rose through the ranks, so did her challenges. She encountered resistance from teachers, many of whom were unmotivated  due to unpaid salaries and lack of government support. Despite this, Adikwu persisted in gathering crucial feedback and conducting thorough assessments. “They complain about neglect and non-payment, and I would sympathize, but I try to remind them that quality assurance is for the benefit of the students,” she explained.

Adikwu’s integrity extended beyond her school inspections. She often found herself in situations where she had to return unspent funds to the government, a practice that is sometimes sidestepped in public service. “I don’t like to talk about it much, but I believe it’s the right thing to do,” she added.

Her commitment did not go unnoticed as her colleague, Marris Adikwu described her as “incorruptible, transparent, and dedicated,” praising her ability to stay true to her values even in the face of adversity.

“There was an incident where we went to Bauchi State to make some payment to teachers in primary school. The payment was stamped and after the payment, she returned about 10million naira back to the government.

“This was surprising because payment was already stamped and this was a great opportunity for her to siphon the money but she didn’t. This action of hers created enmity amongst her colleagues,” she disclosed.

Although Nigeria continues to grapple with its underfunded educational system, individuals like Eneh Adikwu are constant reminders that integrity and dedication are key to lasting reforms as she has been a glimmer of hope to keep the quest for quality education alive, one school at a time.

This report is championed by Accountability Lab Nigeria and supported by The John D. and Catherine D. MacArthur Foundation and Luminate.